Bikers will hit the road for kids in the Rolphie Run this weekend.
And it's not just for bikers. Anyone can join the fun at the barbecue and dance at the Cobleskill Fairgrounds, with all benefits going to help needy children in local schools.
This is the 10th annual Rolphie Run, held in memory of the late Rolph Karker and continued by his family and friends.
"This is an emotional one, coming up on the 10-year mark," said Linda Karker, Mr. Karker's wife. "We're making triumph out of tragedy."
And a triumph it is. Money raised at the Rolphie Run goes to the Rolphie Fund, which gives donations to local schools.
Last year, the Rolphie Fund gave nearly $5,000 apiece to each of the six Schoharie County school districts.
Officials at each school provide money to buy such items as clothing and shoes or pay for school trips and other essentials for needy kids. (See related story.)
"We don't think much about poverty," said Ms. Karker. "It's a quiet entity. . .people are embarrassed about it. But it's our cause to help children with basic needs."
The Rolphie Run and Fund already have a head start on fundraising. Mary Bristol's Entrepreneurship class at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School donated $2,000 from the proceeds of their school coffee shop to the Rolphie Fund.
Ms. Bristol's class focuses on business, promotion, management, and in this case, service to the community.
"They're so generous," Ms. Karker said. "They want to help other students, and that's what their donation will do."
Saturday's Rolphie Run will do the same. Registration begins at 10am, and just before the bikers take off at noon, there will be a blessing for the ride by Claude Falzarano, a message from Justin Karker and a happy birthday message from Sarah Karker.
The first stop for the bikers is the Prattsville Tavern, then Township Tavern in Berne, followed by The Saloon in Durham and back at the Fairgrounds.
"We wanted to go to Prattsville first because of their triumph over flooding," said Ms. Karker, referring to Prattsville's Irene disaster.
Bikers will return to the Fairgrounds about 4pm, where there will be a chicken barbecue and the band Flashback. The dance will start about 6pm.
"Anyone's welcome to come," Ms. Karker said. "Just join the fun."
There will also be raffles and a drawing for a 2015 Harley Davidson Road King. Anyone wanting tickets for the Harley drawing can contact Jim Collins at 858-0457.
The Rolphie Run has significant sponsors, and leading the way are Ms. Bristol's students as double grand sponsors.
Grand sponsors are the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Cobleskill Stone Products, Complete Concrete by Alan J. Sperbeck Jr., Howe Caverns, JT's Cycles, Stewart's Holiday Match, Ritz Management and Deborah Ritz, Snyder's Restaurant and Bruce Tanski, Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, and Livingston Fuels.
The Donna Lavigne Insurance Agency, Locomotions and most teachers' associations from Schoharie County schools are also sponsors.
For more information about the Rolphie Run, contact Justin Karker at 231-4173 or visit www.therolphierun.com.