RUMFORD — The Hope Association will celebrate its 39th annual Ride-In from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, at Horizons Unlimited on Swain Road.
Executive Director Catherine Johnson said the Ride-In has received “a lot of support in terms of donations and community participation.”
Johnson said those interested in participating may purchase a raffle ticket for $1, or six raffle tickets for $5, for the chance to win a prizes that include cash, gift certificates, quilts and baskets.
A recent news release from the Hope Association said, “All donations and money raised from the Ride-In will go toward helping individuals with intellectual and related disabilities to participate in non-Medicaid reimbursable activities and to purchase materials and equipment not paid for by state funds.”
Fawn Palmer of the Hope Association, who Johnson said is “spearheading” the Ride-In, said the most important part of the Ride-In isn’t necessarily the fundraising, but “giving our clients an opportunity to get outside on a snowmobile, to socialize a little bit and have some fun.”
Among the snowmobile clubs that have participated in the past and will likely be participating this year, Johnson said, are the Rumford Polar Bears Snowmobile Club and the Slippery Sliders Snowmobile Club of Roxbury.
“They really seem to enjoy helping out,” Johnson said. “We get a lot of repeat volunteers from year to year. Last year, I think we had around 15 snow machines helping us. Our clients will get all bundled up, put on their helmets and the club members will take them on an 8- to 10-minute ride.
“A lot of times, our clients will get off the snowmobile and go right back to the end of the line,” Johnson said with a laugh.
Palmer said the Hope Association has come up with a new contest to promote participation among the clubs.
“We visited each club in the area and told them whoever sells the most Ride-In raffle tickets will receive a $100 gas card and a trophy,” Palmer said. “We even hauled out the trophy to each club to show them what they’d be winning.”
The raffle prizes will be drawn at 1:30 p.m. at Horizons Unlimited.
Johnson said there will also be a free buffet lunch available for those who visit.
For more information, call 364-4561 or visit www.hopeassociation.org.
mdaigle@sunjournal.com
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- Members of local snowmobile clubs took clients of the Hope Association on 8- to 10-minute rides around the community last year at the organization’s annual Ride-In. The association will hold its 39th annual Ride-In on Sunday, Feb. 9, at Horizons Unlimited in Rumford.
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