Motorcyclists ride for Big Brothers Big Sisters

NEW WINDSOR — A group of Orange County kids today has more money for cultural and educational events and other activities, thanks to 54 motorcycle riders and two sponsors who teamed together to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County. The second Ride for a Child’s Hope, sponsored by K. Hovnanian Homes and V-Force Customs, raised close to $2,000 for the local Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter. The contributions will help Big Brothers Big Sisters achieve its mission of bringing hope to children through professionally supported, caring adult mentors. The motorcycle ride left V-Force Customs in Rock Tavern and cruised for about two hours through the Orange County countryside. It ended when the bikes roared up International Drive past Stewart International Airport, turned and traveled as a pack up Hawthorne Drive to the clubhouse at K. Hovnanian’s Grove at New Windsor. Bikers were greeted by the smell of hamburgers and hot dogs already on the grill. While eating, participants heard from ride organizers and won prizes and a 50/50. Entry fees for the ride, sales of door prize tickets and donations raised a total of $1,800, said Nancy Kosloski, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County. Two of those donations came unexpectedly. The rider John Rucando, of Bayonne, N.J., won the $155 50/50 prize and handed the money to Kosloski, so she had more money for the kids. Another participant, Matt Sprung, of Randolph, N.J., won a $100 gift certificate to V-Force. He auctioned off the certificate for $50 and donated the funds to Big Brothers Big Sisters.