St. Joseph's 'Angel Ride' Raises Money For Scholarships

The Harleys and other motorcycles rolled out of the grounds of St. Joseph the Worker School in Orefield on Sunday, with Monsignor Robert J. Wargo leading the pack.

The reason: A 113-mile motorcycle trek through Lehigh, Luzerne, Schuylkill and Carbon counties, on a sun-filled day, to raise money for student scholarships to St. Joseph's and the parish's Religious Education Program.

"It was beautiful on Sunday," said Msgr. Wargo, who started the ride 11 years ago with two St. Joseph the Worker parishioners, Chuck Jacob and Chuck Matteri. The route is different each year, but starts and ends at St. Joseph's and goes for about 100 miles.

So far, the Angel Ride has raised more than $400,000 for the school, with $250,000 awarded in student scholarships. The scholarships are used to help offset the school's tuition of $3,450 for families in need, some of whom have more than one child enrolled in the school.

Msgr. Wargo said he has been riding motorcycles for 45 years, and a Harley for 12 years, after Jacob gave him one. That first summer with the Harley, he rode with Jacob and Matteri, and as word spread among the parishioners, the three decided to launch the Angel Ride in celebration of Harley's 100th anniversary.

That first year, the goal was set at $10,000. When donations and sponsorships came up $26 short, the Boy Scouts put them over the top. Since then, the goal has increased -- and been met, with this year's goal set at $20,000.

Msgr. Wargo said about $12,000 in donations and sponsorships have come in for this year, but everything hasn't yet been tallied. Donations go to: St. Joseph the Worker Angel Fund, 1879 Applewood Drive, Orefield, PA 18069.

This year's ride attracted 240 riders on 150 motorcycles. Among them: about 15 to 20 former police officers, a judge, two funeral directors and a priest. Msgr. Wargo said participants come from throughout the Lehigh Valley and outside the area.

"We've had a good response," he said, "and it's a mix of people," including fathers and daughters.

The reason for the ride's success?

"It's a distance ride, where you ride as a group," Msgr. Wargo said, "and it's well supervised."

Police have provided escorts, and the weather has always been good. Two trucks and a van follow the riders in case anyone needs help. In 11 years, he said, there's only been one accident -- a bike went off the road -- and the rider was not seriously injured.

Afterward on Sunday, the riders enjoyed dinner, served by Outback Steakhouse, in St. Joseph the Worker's Parish Center.