Riding to give back

To the editor:

On behalf on the Snell family and the Justin’s Ride Committee, we would like to thank everyone that came out to make the 3rd Annual Justin’s Ride, a huge success.

This year’s ride was about 105 miles, around the Great Sacandaga Lake, and drew approximately 200 motorcyclists and sold over 300 dinners.

For those of you not familiar with Justin’s Ride, it is a memorial ride, in memory of our son and brother, Justin Snell, who was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident, September 11, 2009. Shortly after his death, a few of Justin’s closest friends came up with the idea of a memorial ride in his honor.

In three years, Justin’s Ride has raised and donated back to the community, over $20,000. Every penny we raise is given to our local youth programs. This year, the money we raised was donated to the St. Johnsville AYSO Program, the Benefit Club Christmas giveaway and the D.H. Robbins Angels (Coats for Kids Program). In the first two years, we donated the money raised to the St. Johnsville Little League, the Ayres Animal Shelter and the Benefit Club Christmas giveaway.

We would especially like to thank all the local business people who donated food, money and raffle items and all of our friends, who donated raffle items and their time, to make this ride a success.

We are always amazed at the kindness and generosity we have seen in this community. A special thank you to the local law enforcement officers (St. Johnsville Police, Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, Johnstown Police, Canajoharie Police, Little Falls Police and Ilion Police), that assist us with traffic, keeping the ride safe each year.

Bob, Kim, Jared, Nikki and Jaylynn Snell