Hollywood stars and top motorcycle industry leaders joined riders and patriots to push the total raised for charity through Buffalo Chip events toward the million-dollar mark.
Sturgis, SD (October 4, 2018) – The Buffalo Chip has taken a leadership role bringing together thousands of motorcyclists, patriots and fans in an effort to support and strengthen the Black Hills community through significant charitable contributions. Through its meticulous organization, marketing and staffing of premier events such as the Buffalo Chip’s Legends Ride® presented by GEICO Motorcycle, Legends Lunch, Biker Belles® and Freedom Celebration, the Buffalo Chip has produced well-attended affairs and has raised a combined $769,466.79 for charities. The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum has received $250,000 for the building fund. Recipients in 2018 alone including South Dakota Special Olympics – Rapid City Flame, Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame, Helping with Horsepower, Sgt. Colton Levi Derr Foundation, America’s Mighty Warriors, Warrior Dog Foundation and others received more than $85,000.
Signature Buffalo Chip charity events offer bikers the opportunity to break public perception and transcend social norms with bold solutions that benefit those with special needs, America’s wounded Veterans and Black Hills communities.
The Premier Charity Ride of the Sturgis Rally
Some of the world’s biggest stars joined with the Buffalo Chip and riders at 2018’s Legends Ride presented by GEICO Motorcycle on Monday, Aug. 6, making a powerful impact on local charities by raising $48,034. Those who attended the exclusive Legends Lunch that preceded the ride raised an additional $5,188.
Stars attending the event included actor Tom Berenger, politician Sarah Palin and her husband Todd Palin, NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace, Drag Racing Hall of Famer Don Prudhomme, off road racing legend Walker Evans, actor Zahn McClarnon, writer and actor Carmine Cangialosi and Shannon Aikau, Ryan Evans and “Horny” Mike of HISTORY Channel’s “Counting Cars.” The events were held on Deadwood’s Main Street and at the Silverado and Historic Franklin Hotel. The Legends Ride has been featured on CMT, the National Geographic Channel, the Tonight Show, FX Network and the Travel Channel, as well as in many additional print, online and newspaper articles.
Contributions to the Rapid City Flame have been used to purchase a van to transport Special Olympians to practices and events. In an effort to help create an essential permanent athlete training facility for the athletes in the Black Hills, in 2016 the Buffalo Chip pledged $100,000 to renovate an existing facility to meet the growing needs of the organization. The pledged donation is an investment in more than just a gym, giving the 127 Special Olympians who are members of the “Rapid City Flame” a sense of permanence and accomplishment. The floor of the facility has already been renovated with donated funds and is currently in use.
Biker Belles Continues a Tradition of Honoring Women
Biker Belles was created in 2008 to raise awareness of the passion, diversity and spirit of women in motorcycling and to raise funds for local worthy charities. The Buffalo Chip’s 10th annual Biker Belles charity celebration in 2018 included the first-ever Women & Wheels Bike ShowTM presented by the Wild Gypsy Tour featuring women-owned bikes. In addition, the Morning Ride™ led participants on a journey from the Buffalo Chip’s CrossRoads to the Lodge at Deadwood where participants experienced the Comfort Zone by Team Diva, a catered lunch and an inspiring symposium of leading women in the motorcycle industry.
Contributions from the event support the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame and Helping with Horsepower, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that empowers and encourages women and girls who are at risk or are victims of abuse. The organization has developed several programs that have shown proven results including their SpiritHorse Program, Entrepreneur Experience and the nationally recognized Helping With Horsepower Bike Rebuild Program.
Freedom Celebration Pays Tribute to America’s Veterans
A Buffalo Chip tradition that began over 25 years ago has resulted in significant donations to three organizations that benefit America’s veterans: America’s Mighty Warriors, Combat Wounded Coalition and the Warrior Dog Foundation. The annual Freedom Celebration is a day set aside to honor all those who have served and sacrificed to protect American lives and freedom. This year’s event included a charity auction, presentation of a specially constructed trike donated by an anonymous benefactor for a wounded combat veteran, presentation of a trained emotional support dog to a local vet with PTSD, and the Bob Hanson Distinguished Service Awards.
The Buffalo Chip plans to continue its mission of giving into 2019 with the return of events such as the Legends Ride, Biker Belles and Freedom Celebration.
High resolution photos of 2018 Buffalo Chip chrity events are available here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=11gNbTdG4L4sfVOI11HBwsyKBk8cRJr-9
About the Legends Ride
The Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s Legends Ride is dedicated to bringing rally goers together to raise significant funds for local charities. Having raised well over $500,000 for charity since its inception in 2008, the Legends Ride has played host to some of the biggest names in television, film, music and motorcycling, along with riders from all corners of the world.
About Biker Belles®
The annual Biker Belles charity event is a celebration of women in the world of motorcycling that centers on “Real Riders, Real Stories, and Real Passion.” Whether one rides his or her own bike or prefers being the passenger, this Sturgis Buffalo Chip®-hosted event offers a great opportunity to meet new friends and gain inspiration from pioneering women who continue to influence the world of motorcycling today. All Biker Belles proceeds support worthy local charities. For more information and to join the 2019 Biker Belles celebration visit www.bikerbelles.com or call (605) 347-9000.
About The Buffalo Chip’s Freedom Celebration
Supporting soldiers and honoring their service and sacrifice has been a 27-year tradition at the Buffalo Chip, with an entire day dedicated to honoring America’s veterans. The Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s Freedom Celebration offers the chance to experience a variety of powerful presentations, moving events and inspiring performances, all specifically designed to recognize those who have selflessly served and, in some instances, lost their lives in service to their country. In addition to Freedom Celebration events, several military tributes are on display at the Buffalo Chip’s free-access CrossRoads destination
About The Sturgis Buffalo Chip
The Sturgis Buffalo Chip® is the Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling®. It is the world’s first and leading entertainment destination for the motorcycle enthusiast and 2017 South Dakota Excellence in Tourism Innovation award winner. Since 1981, the venue’s high-profile, nine-day festival, known as The Best Party Anywhere®, remains one of the world’s most televised and longest running independent music festivals. Located three miles east of Sturgis, SD on 600 creek-fed acres, it offers seven stages of entertainment, a swimming hole, bars, mouth-watering food, showers, cabins, RVs, camping and more to visitors traveling from all corners of the world. The Chip’s concerts are free with camping. The Motorcycles as Art exhibit curated by Michael Lichter, numerous bike and stunt shows and all shopping, live music and events at the CrossRoads are free and open to the public. More details are available at www.buffalochip.com.
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Further Inquiries:
Nyla Griffith
[email protected]
605-347-9000
Cell: 605-920-0626
Sturgis Buffalo Chip
