The Town of Alto will host the 5th annual Steel Kin Lupus Awareness Ride this May, and according to organizer Amos Smith, it looks like this year’s crowd will be bigger than ever before.
Last year, Smith says more than 200 bikers turned out to ride for Lupus fundraising, but he’s expecting double that number this year with other organizations joining the ride and the Lupus Foundation considering making it an official, national event.
He’s spoken with motorcycle riding groups from Banks County, Stephens County, Flowery Branch, Oakwood, Gainesville and Athens. He says there will be at least 100 more motorcycles in the ride this year than last.
“I’m going to try to make this one way bigger and better than all the other ones,” Smith said.
Those numbers are impressive, especially considering that when the ride began, it started with 15 motorcycles. In those four years, the ride has made huge strides, raising more than $10,000 to donate to the Lupus Foundation last year. The group also raised an additional $1,600 to pay for a service dog training for a Lupus patient. Their fundraising goal this year is for $15,000.
The event, aside from the ride, will include a raffle, silent auction, barbeque and t-shirts for purchase.
The event is scheduled for May 7, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Alto Community Center located at 162 S. Grant Street. The ride will go from Alto towards Homer and Batesville, then back around to Alto.
The event is still looking for sponsors. Businesses, organizations and individuals who sponsor the event will have their business name or personal name printed on advertisements, event banners and event shirts.
The sponsorship levels are:
- Platinum: $1,000 and up
- Gold: $500 and up
- Silver – $250 and up
- Bronze – $100 and up
Sponsorships must be received by April 1.
Any monetary donations can be made to Amos Smith for the Lupus Awareness Ride, or to the Town of Alto for the Lupus Ride. Sponsorships can be mailed to the Town of Alto at PO Box 215, Alto, GA 30510.
If you have questions about sponsorship, donations or participation, contact Amos Smith directly at 706-525-1888.
