Successful Third Annual CHARLIE’s Ride

ELLINGTON, CONN., August 12, 2012 – The third annual CHARLIE’s Ride was a terrific success – thanks to everyone’s tremendous support!  CHARLIE’s Ride an acronym for Cardiac Health Advocates Remembering Loved-ones Impacted Everywhere, is a charity motorcycle ride established in loving memory of Charlie Lewandoski who lost his 20-year battle with heart disease in July 2009 and for others just like him.  Created by Charlie’s daughter, Beth Hensel, CHARLIE’s Ride has a three-fold objective: 1) to promote heart disease awareness and prevention strategies; 2) to remember the millions impacted by heart disease, and 3) to raise funds for cardiac care.  Due to the overwhelming support of the riders and sponsors, CHARLIE’s Ride achieved all of their goals.  About 75 motorcycles and 125 participants learned a little more about heart disease.  Participants filled the Memory Wall, donated by Sign*A*Rama of Enfield, with tributes to those lost, alongside Beth’s dad, Charlie.  Not to mention raising almost $7,600 for The Hoffman Heart and Vascular Institute of Connecticut, a clinical center of excellence at Saint Francis.

The day started at , where provided coffee and donuts for all participants, Clear Channel Communications played music and SicKline Carving worked on a custom piece donated to the raffle.  Onsite, a Dr. Anita Kelsey and her team from Saint Francis Hospital provided heart-health screenings to interested parties.  Opening ceremonies began around 11:30 AM, where Renee DiNino officially kicked off the event by welcoming riders and announcing Beth Hensel who shared a personal story of how she transformed an idea to honor her father into CHARLIE’s Ride as well as recognition to the supporters and participants.  Norm LeBlanc from Trantolo & Trantolo gave a safety briefing to the riders.  Miss Tolland County Kaitlyn Bogue sang the National Anthem to the crowd, concluding the ceremony.  Escorted by State Troopers, South Windsor and New Britain Police Offices as well as Road Captains, members from the Ellington Harley Owners Group (HOG), the ride ventured out on a 30-mile ride through Ellington, into Stafford, around Crystal Lake, then through East Windsor.  The ride ended safely at where participants enjoyed a feast featuring heart-health food including bison burgers, meatloaf, delicious sides and cookies donated and cooked by the Presenting Sponsor .  The after-party also included open billiards, lots of raffles, and music donated by Cadillac Jack.

It is with heartfelt gratitude that CHARLIE’s Ride recognizes everyone who made our event so successful!  THANK YOU to our presenting sponsor – Ted’s Montana Grill, John Halpin and his team did an outstanding job!  THANK YOU to our host sponsors and friends Harry & Kelly Levesque of TSI Harley Davidson and DJ & Carol Houle of Big Shot Billiards and their fantastic teams.  Many thanks to our Full Throttle Sponsors:  Norm LeBlanc & our friends at Trantolo & Trantolo, Melissa Machado from Dunkin’ Donuts of Rockville, Renee DiNino of Clear Channel Communications and MassMutual.  Huge THANKS to our sponsors who rode with us:  Mike Gagnier & Charlie’s co-workers from All State Fire Equipment, “Porta-potty Pete” of Pippin & Sons, John Gagne from Ace Taxi and Randi Burgess from Riverview Gun Sales.  Not to mention, great THANKS to the numerous of other sponsors for the financial and raffle prize donations as well as the individual contributors for helping us raise funds that could save a life.  THANK YOU to all of those who ensured the ride was safe:  the , State Police, South Windsor Police, New Britain Police, East Windsor Police, and Ellington HOG Members/Road Captains:  Gary Gillette, Mike Kolpinski, Keith Lassonde, Kathy Lassonde, and Rudy Phillip.  THANK YOU to “Team CHARLIE’s Angels”, the volunteers who worked so hard to ensure everything went off perfectly:  Suzanne Aude, Jill Champigny, Whitney Dionne, Dawn Filippa, Helen Gillette, Alissa Hensel, Mark Hensel, Mary Higgins, Lisa Irizarry, Nilsa Martin, Ilyssa Miller, and Wayne Ostrout.  Last, but certainly not least, THANK YOU to all of the riders, including members of the Motor Maids whose participation helped make the day as successful as it was memorable!

It’s not too late to find out more about CHARLIE’s Ride.  Visit us online:  www.CharliesRide.org, www.facebook.com/charlie.ride, for pictures from the event, updated Memory Wall, and periodic updates, including information about the upcoming “Queen of Hearts Biker Ball” to celebrate Women’s Heart Health month and raise funds for the Philips Women’s Heart Program at Saint Francis Hospital, scheduled for Feb. 23, 2013!

Again, heartfelt gratitude to all of the wonderful people who helped to make our event so successful.  Hope to see you at the second annual Biker Ball in February and at the fourth annual CHARLIE’s Ride next year!