Memorial ride benefits local non-profits

By Cathy Womble
Lake Okeechobee News

Posted 2/23/21

A memorial ride in honor of Dale Reiss was held on Jan. 30.

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Memorial ride benefits local non-profits

Special to the Lake Okeechobee News

Betty Loomis (left) accepts a check from Stu Taylor and Tamara Auiler on behalf of Trail of Hope.

Special to the Lake Okeechobee News

Stu Taylor (center) and Tamara Auiler present a check to Jonathan Bean, executive director of Martha's House.

Posted Tuesday, February 23, 2021 11:08 am

By Cathy Womble
Lake Okeechobee News

OKEECHOBEE — After a member of their group was killed in a motorcycle accident, his friends decided to have a memorial ride in his honor. Dale Reiss, who died on Jan. 26, 2020, was a member of the Amvets post 2001 and of the VFW Riders.

A Dale Reiss Memorial Ride was held on Jan. 30, 2021 with proceeds going to two local non-profits, Martha’s House and Trail of Hope Animal Shelter. Both of these organizations were important to Reiss, said Stu Taylor, a member of the group.

With help from the Eagle’s Bar, Brad Stark and the Eagle Riders and J&S Fish Camp, the ride was a great success bringing in $4,673. Trail of Hope received $2,411.50, and Martha’s House received $2,261.50.

More than 65 motorcycles and over 100 people participated.

The ride ended at the VFW post 9528 in Buckhead Ridge with food, raffles and the Timmy Blast Band.

“This show that bikers are a very close-knit community, and love to raise money for charities as well as our community here at home,” said Taylor.