Goal of Highway to Help: Assist those in need during the holidays

This will be the 10th year for the motorcycle ride at Atrium Medical Center.
Motorcycle riders will raise money during the 10th Annual Highway to Help Saturday at Atrium Medial Center. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Motorcycle riders will raise money during the 10th Annual Highway to Help Saturday at Atrium Medial Center. SUBMITTED PHOTO

While Christmas is five months away, how to make the holiday brighter for families in need, will be on the minds of motorcyclist this weekend.

Atrium Medical Center and Atrium Medical Center Foundation will host their 10th annual Highway to Help on Saturday. This event raises funds to support local families in need during the holiday season, said Michael Stautberg, president of the foundation.

Atrium employees identify potential families to help during the holiday. Proceeds from the event purchase Christmas gifts for children and gift cards for adults to buy groceries, said Ann Brock, Atrium Medical Center trauma outreach coordinator and organizer of this year’s ride.

In nine years, Highway to Help has raised $10,000 and assisted 1,000 people, Brock said.

She said as a hospital it’s “very important” to take are of those in need.

“This is a wonderful cause,” Brock said.

While some people may consider Butler and Warren communities affluent, Stautberg said there are “pockets of need” throughout the region.

That’s why Highway to Help serves an important role in the community, he said.

Atrium Medical Center Foundation’s ninth annual Highway to Help took place on Aug. 5. This gathering aimed to provide support to local families in need through Atrium Medical Center's Adopt-a-Family program. Nearly 60 motorcyclists embarked on a more than 2-hour journey through Warren and Clinton counties. The ride ended in Mason at Powder Keg Harley-Davidson, where riders, volunteers, and members of the community enjoyed an after-party with live music from the Rockstar Band and food served by VFW Post #7696. CONTRIBUTED

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Highway to Help was started nine years ago by Jim Bruggeman, an Atrium Medical Center maintenance worker.

The ride committee has added a twist this year. The motorcycle ride will depart the hospital campus at noon, then travel to Cowan Lake in CITY HERE and conclude at the Lebanon Blues Festival around 3 p.m., with reserved parking available until 7 p.m. Participants can enjoy live bands and festivities continuing until 11 p.m.

Registration fee is $25 per motorcycle, which includes $10 Blues Bucks to be spent at the Lebanon Blues Festival food trucks.


HOW TO GO

WHAT: 10th Annual Highway to Help, a charity motorcycle ride to benefit Atrium Medical Center’s Adopt-A-Family effort

WHEN: Registration from 10-11:45 a.m. Saturday. Kickstands up at noon.

WHERE: Ride departs from Atrium Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Middletown. Parking Lot H.

HOW MUCH: $25 per motorcycle

REGISTRATION: AtriumMedCenterFoundation.org/Highway

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