Our Annual Heroes Run fundraiser events started in 2013 and have grown every year since. It's an opportunity for us to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and let their families know that we remember.
Being the first ever Annual Heroes Run, this event was small and started with a motorcycle run with a stop at Mount Albion Cemetery in Albion, NY to honor and remember Army Spc. Jason M. Johnston who was killed on December 26, 2009 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom. Jason was 24, of Albion, N.Y.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died in Arghandab, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. After the ceremony the motorcycles continued on to Quaker Steak for live music, food and raffles.
This event was held on June 14th, 2014 and actually fell on Flag Day. Americans Helping Americans on Flag Day The Patriot Guard Riders of New York and New York Warrior Alliance along with members of the Legion Riders, Chrome Divas, Widow Sons Masonic Riders and more; formed an organized bike run of more than 200 riders on Saturday, June 14th, 2014, Flag Day. This was PGRNY 2nd Annual Heroes Run, a charity fund-raiser benefiting PGRNY HOTH (Help on the Homefront) and New York Warrior Alliance. The first stop of the 60 mile run was at the West Webster Fire Department where portrait paintings of Mike Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka who were killed in the December 24, 2012 ambush in West Webster were presented, along with certificates for Joseph Hofstetter, and Theodore Scardino who were wounded. The Webster Police then escorted the riders to CDS Monarch on Hard Rd., for a patriotic ceremony and music where Amy Tausch, President/CEO of New York Warrior Alliance spoke about giving at Walter Reed Hospital and what her organization does for our wounded warriors and their caregivers. Jon Stanley graduate of the Warrior Salute program spoke of the impact Warrior Salute has had on his life. David Kern, State Captain of the PGRNY presented CDS Monarch’s Warrior Salute program a check from PGRNY HOTH (Help on the Homefront) for $25,000. Accepting the check were Sankar Sewnauth, President/CEO of CDS Monarch and Amber Johnson, Director of Annual and Corporate Giving, Wolf Foundation. The ride continued on with stops at Capizzo's on Ridge Rd. in Ontario, and to Macedon and finally back at the starting point, St. Paul’s Exempt in Irondequoit for a picnic dinner and music by DannyB Songs and The Morgan Crispy band.
Our 2015 event was one of our most successful yet and was held on June 13th, 2015. We were able to raise $11,500. Our event started with a Run to East Rochester where a Memorial plaque honoring RPD Officer Daryl Pierson was unveiled and to Spencerport where an engraved bench honoring Army Cpt Bruce Kevin Clark was also unveiled. Thus providing the families and our communities with a lasting memorial to these heroes. Next was the ceremony at St Paul Exempt's in Rochester where Bob Lonsberry was our emcee. New at this event was our chicken BBQ which was a huge success. And of course our our musicians Marty Roberts, DannyB & Cold Sweat ROC who donated their time and talent to entertain the crowds. Our raffles and silent auctions were also a big success.
On June 11, 2016 we were all worried what the weather would be, especially with the thunderstorm we had about 6:30am. But God saw fit to bring us a beautiful day for our dedication ride to Greece Town Hall and to Lakeview Cemetery in Brockport to dedicate lasting memorials to NYS Trooper Andrew J Sperr and Staff SGT Nicholas J Reid, respectively. Then back to a beautiful ceremony at St Paul Exempts, where the Karpus Family Foundation presented a check us with a very nice check and Medal of Honor recipient Gary Beikirch gave a very moving talk. As well as, both Amy Tausch founder and CEO of New York Warrior Alliance and Dave Kern State Captain of the Patriot Guard Riders of New York spoke. Everyone enjoyed not only the ceremony but the food, entertainment and raffles.
Our 5th event raised over $14,000. Our dedication memorial ride was held in Batavia where we honored and remembered SGT Shaina B Schmigel. Then back to the event location at the Rush Creekside Inn. We were honored to have COL Dawn DeVine as our guest speaker at our event. She spoke on the challenges women face while serving and once their tour of duty is done, definitely keeping to our event's theme of Women in Uniform. We also had a Car4Heroes vehicle which was presented to one of our HOTH veterans as part of our program. Great food and entertainment by Big Mike and The Motivators.
June 9, 2018 was perfect weather for our Memorial Run to Hilton for the unveiling of the memorial remembrance of SPC Jason Hasenauer. Then back to the Greece American Legion for the remainder of our event where we had raffles, music by Buddies & Pals, and of course food. Special items were also presented to the Hasenauer family.
June 15, 2019 was a bit of a cooler June day with some drizzle, but our event went off without a hitch for the unveiling of the memorial remembrance of BM1 Michael Pernaselli. Then back to the Greece American Legion for the remainder of our event where we had raffles, music by Buddies & Pals, and of course food. Special items were also presented to the Michael's two daughters, mother, father and brother.
PGRNY is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit and 100% volunteer organization. Donations on this site support our program of Help On The Homefront and are tax deductible. If you send a check, please mark the memo section for the Annual Heroes Run. Thank you.
Checks payable to:
Patriot Guard Riders of NY
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