8th Annual Ricky Craven Snowmobile Ride for Charity

Nearly 500 people gathered on January 29 for the 8th Annual Ricky Craven Snowmobile Ride for Charity. [www.rickycraven.com] The Greenville event raised $185,225 total for five charities, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine. The $17,500 that was donated to our chapter is enough to grant three wishes. Through the history of the ride, Ricky Craven and his supporters have now raised more than $100,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine, and more than $1 million overall. Proceeds also benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire, Give Kids The World, the Marrow Foundation, Children's Miracle Network, and the Travis Roy Foundation.

"When I think of how we started and where we are today, I'm totally amazed," said Craven, driver of the No. 99 Superchips Ford F-150. "Our goal for this event was to break the $1 million mark and we accomplished that. We had good weather, great trails, many generous contributors and over 400 riders which made this event a huge success."

As an added highlight this year, Maine's Gov. John E. Baldacci joined the group of over 400 riders on the 60-mile course through the Moosehead Lake region of Greenville. Special thanks to the Moosehead Riders Snowmobile Club and the Town of Greenville for their hard work in ensuring trails were well prepared for a safe and smooth ride.

"I have to thank everyone who worked so hard on this event," Craven said. "My Mom (Nancy Craven) heads up this event and there are so many volunteers who make it all happen. We could never achieve the success we have without their dedication."

Thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors, and riders, for helping to grant twenty wishes to Maine children over the past eight years!

Photos courtesy of Pete Johnson, Moosehead Riders Snowmobile Club