After 35 years and more than $800,000 raised, Frank’s Ride celebrated its final run on Saturday.
Frank Aulino was a member of the Longmont Moose Lodge and a very giving man, said Tammy Risedorf, coordinator of Frank’s Ride.
Aulino held a special place in his heart for children and wanted to give back. He decided to host a Poker run with the help of several Moose Lodge members in 1986 called Moose on the Loose. Together the members donated money, hopped on their motorcycles and made several stops, drawing a playing card at each.
The event was such a success that Aulino began the preparations for a second year. Immediately following the meeting, Aulino collapsed due to a severe heart attack and died.
The members of the Moose Lodge decided right then and there that the ride must continue, renaming it Frank’s Ride in memory of its founder.
For most of its existence, Frank’s Ride has teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to raise money to grant life-changing wishes for children struggling with critical illnesses, its website states.
On Saturday, over 1,000 riders lined up at the Longmont Moose Lodge to make its final run. The procession was escorted by the Longmont Police department.
Children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation rode in sidecars as riders made their through several stops to their final destination at Anderson Farms.
For 30 consecutive years, Greg Risedorf, Tammy’s husband, has ridden in the run. This year, due to illness, he rode with his son in a car at the front of the parade.
“It’s all about helping the kids,” said Greg Risedorf, who has witnessed a close friend watch his daughter struggle with childhood illness. “That really shows you what the parents are going through but with Make-A-Wish and people out there volunteering help … just volunteering to do whatever they can is just is what makes it really worth it.”
After all these years, Greg Risedorf had hopes that Frank’s Ride would bring in over $1 million before its retirement year.
“It’s a heartbreaker,” Greg Risedorf said.
Despite that one disappointment, Greg Risedorf is excited the Longmont Moose Lodge will continue raising money for the nonprofit.
While Frank’s Ride will no longer take place, the Longmont Moose Lodge is not finished raising money for children, according to Tammy Risedorf. She said the group is planning to host another Poker run next year but under a different name.
Greg Risedorf and the Make-A-Wish Foundation children joined the riders, family and friends at Anderson Farm where they celebrated a successful run with good food, an auction and good times with friends.
“I have never met a group of people more passionate about helping children, than this group. The people who come together for Frank’s Ride are like family,” said Patti Forsythe, Make-A-Wish director.
