thedrifter
07-24-08, 05:54 AM
Motorcycle ride helps troops
July 24, 2008
OSCEOLA COUNTY - The fourth annual USO Operation Care Package Benefit Ride is scheduled for Sept. 14.
The 80-mile motorcycle ride through the county begins at 10:30 a.m. at Osceola Heritage Park and ends at noon with lunch, a silent auction and a custom and classic bike show.
The cost is $25, with all proceeds benefiting U.S. armed forces around the world. Viola Pearce, founder of the benefit ride and an Osceola County resident, began the program in 2005.
Since 2001, the Operation USO Care Package program has distributed more than a million packages, which can contain prepaid international phone cards, snacks, sunscreen, disposable cameras, toiletries, compact discs and other requested items.
This year's benefit ride is dedicated to St. Cloud's Jason Burnett, a 20-year-old lance corporal who was killed with three other Marines in an accidental crash when their tank plunged off a bridge during a combat patrol in Al Anbar province, Iraq, in May 2006.
Nearly 700 people registered for last year's ride, and about $36,000 was raised.
For details, call Viola Pearce at 407-556-5000 or go to usobenefitride.com.
Mark Pino of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report.
Ellie
July 24, 2008
OSCEOLA COUNTY - The fourth annual USO Operation Care Package Benefit Ride is scheduled for Sept. 14.
The 80-mile motorcycle ride through the county begins at 10:30 a.m. at Osceola Heritage Park and ends at noon with lunch, a silent auction and a custom and classic bike show.
The cost is $25, with all proceeds benefiting U.S. armed forces around the world. Viola Pearce, founder of the benefit ride and an Osceola County resident, began the program in 2005.
Since 2001, the Operation USO Care Package program has distributed more than a million packages, which can contain prepaid international phone cards, snacks, sunscreen, disposable cameras, toiletries, compact discs and other requested items.
This year's benefit ride is dedicated to St. Cloud's Jason Burnett, a 20-year-old lance corporal who was killed with three other Marines in an accidental crash when their tank plunged off a bridge during a combat patrol in Al Anbar province, Iraq, in May 2006.
Nearly 700 people registered for last year's ride, and about $36,000 was raised.
For details, call Viola Pearce at 407-556-5000 or go to usobenefitride.com.
Mark Pino of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report.
Ellie