Ride For Wishes 2011

Dear Family and Friends
It seems like yesterday that I was out on my ride to New York. Today I took Dylan to get some decorations for his X-mas tree that he wanted in his room. Dylan is doing very well and his cancer is in remission. As the holidays are upon us I find myself today looking at maps trying to figure out which route the next Ride For Wishes will take. In the late summer early fall of 2011 I will again hit the road to help bring awareness to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and help to grant wishes for three kids that have life threatening medical conditions, to enrich the human experience with hope,strength and joy.. This coming years ride will take me to the four geographical corners of the lower 48 states,at each corner I will hang wish stars that you filled out and gave to remind everyone that the kids are the stars and deserve every effort we can make to help grant one heart felt wish to each eligible child. It is the generosity of people like you that make these wishes come true. I have set up a website to make it real easy to make a donation https://secure.wish.org/ourfriends/007-000/rideforwishes.htm 100% of all donations go directly to The Make-A-Wish Foundation. There have been 200,000 wishes granted since 1980 when the first wish of 7 year old Chris G. was granted to be a police officer. 27 years later Dylan had his wish to be a sheriff granted by the Orange County Sheriffs Department. I would like to thank each and everyone of you for you support in our mission to help these kids have ONE WISH.

Happy Holidays.

Dave Rusk
If you would like more information on obtaining a wish star to be hung at the corner of your choice please contact me at Rideforwishes@aol.com or give me a call at 714-875-1273

Please help any way you can

Here is the flier with the info to make a donation to help make wishes come true.

Home

Hello Everyone

Just a short note to say thank you to everyone that supported me in helping to make wishes come true. The ride to New York was a pleasent ride with a few bumps and alot of enjoyment.I got to visit wish houses across our country and it reminded me how lucky we are to have such wonderful people that are devoted to making wishes come true for some very special kids. It was pure pleasure to read about Flying Michael Batman wish was granted while I was away. This young boy has been through so much in his young life, and then to have his wish come true to be a super hero was very uplifting to say the least. Please dont forget that these wishes are only made possible by everyone banding together and doing their part to help these kids. I am starting to think about next years ride already,but my back side is saying something different still/LOL. when I figure out what I will be doing to help make wishes come true next year you all will be the first to know.

Again thank you for your support

Keep The Chrome Side UP

Dave

day 11,12,13,14,15

Day 14 I found this guy at the local zoo in Idaho Falls

Day 14 got to visit with a Baby Snow lepard at the local zoo in Idaho Falls.

Day 14 I visited some friends in Idaho Falls, Tom Jensen and Ray Putnum. Thanks TJ you and your Family are awsome!!!!

Day 13 I made it to Boise Idaho to visit the wish house in that city. Thank you for the tour of the wish house and the insite on some of the recent wishes you have granted.

Day 12 I was in Glacier National Park and rounded a corner and seen this lady just standing next to the road

Day 11 I found myself surounded by a wonderful staff in Fargo,ND.I was dodging storms but the trip to fargo was well worth the effort.

Day 10

Hello Everyone

Today was a nice cool day for a change. It was only in the 80's. I rode 430 miles today. I am about 2 hours east of Fargo ND,which is where I will make a visit tomarrow to the wish house in that city. Today I was thinking alot about my family. I look forward to getting home,doing some chores and relaxing for a day or three. Today I met a young boy who really wanted to ride the bike. His mother was in hurry but as soon I started telling her about my rideforwishes she seemed to slow down a bit. You see her Nephew was also a wish kid and got his wish to go on a disney cruise granted a few years ago. Her son got to sit on the bike and left shortly after that with a smile on his face and a wish star in his hands. Seeing this kid reminded me of Dylan and how full of questions these kids are at that age. I told him he has to be a good boy and listen to his mother. She thanked me for reminding her that a stranger is a friend you have yet to make.

I have really enjoyed this trip so far. remember that challenges we face in life are like drops of water in the ocean compared to the challenges the kids face fighting these life threatening illnesses. Lets all band together and help make wishes come true. Print out the flyer and send it in with your donation. Big things happen when a child is granted ONE WISH.

Everyone have a wonderful night.

Dave

Day 9

hello everyone.

The day started off riding into a rain storm and then got alot better. I am about 65 miles west of Mill. Wisconson. I did visit the wish house in Cleveland OH. with over one hundred kids on there list waiting to have there wishes granted,they are very busy. I would like to thank there staff for the warm welcome.Keep up the good work making wishes come true for the kids in OH.

As I got closer to the big cities I thought I was back in LA. Those people were trying to take me out so I down shifted and got the heck out of there. I am going to be able to avoid big cities now. Going right through the heart of america has reminded me of the more simplier things I take for granit. Mainly the roads we get to ride on back home are like glass compared to the roads in the east. I am heading west and will be somewhere short of Montana by tomarrow. I am going to ride through Glacier National Park when I get there. The last two times I was in that area it was snowing up there and yes both times were in July. anyway I will write more in the morning.
Take Care and enjoy the pictures

Dave

Day 7 & 8

Hello All

Yesterday started out good and then got a couple of set backs. First off I made it to New York City,as you can see from the picture of the Lady. then on my way out of town on the turn pike I hit a huge bump in the road. The camera and phone both went flying out of there holders,well I caught the camera but the phone is in a million parts somewhere on that road. So being the good hubby I am I went to a starbucks for some tea and to write kathy about loosing the phone, Thatdid not work either the computer did not want to load explorer or any other browser. I went and found a AT&T store and got a new phone. Kathy wrote the facebook message last night. This morning I went to best buy where the geek squad is located and low and behold they fixed it in about 15 mins and to my surprise they did not charge me a dime. well why I waited for best buy to open I got my laundry done. so around noon I was on my way west again via highway 6 in PA. that is another great road with ALOT of little towns. I rounded a corner and guess whatI found??? yeppers more BBQ. There was this guy named James and boy was he cooking some great meat. I proceeded to get me a box of ribs to eat later seeing I had just stopped and had lunch at this little country diner where I had the best cooked sweet carrots I have ever had.The chicken and gravy over potatoes was awsome too.The bill for the box of ribs and chicken lunch $15.Wish we could eat out like that back home. Over the course of the last two days I rode 1081 miles and I am just outside the city of Cleveland. I am hoping to be home sometime this week. I am going to take the more northern route home. I am looking forward to seeing the pacific ocean again. I have covered alot of miles the last week and the back side is starting to tell me. I knew this would be a challenge but please remember that the reason I am doing this is for the kids with life threatening conditions. the challenges they face are huge and they deserve our support to help grant them ONE WISH. Thank you for everyones support and if you know someone that would like to help please print out the flier and send it in with your donation.

Thanks and keep the chrome side up.

Dave

hello

Day six found me riding alittle short of 350 miles with 210 of those miles on the best road I have ever riden. Blue Ridge Parkway through the mountains in North Carolina. turn after turn was picture perfect. Traffic was very light on the parkway so it was a great ride. I am about 400 miles from New York City so we will see what tomarrow brings. I did try to go visit the staff in Asherville wish house but I found out she does not get there until 11am so I did not want to wait. Sorry I missed them but they were out in the field planning an event to help make wishes come true. I did take a bunch of pictures today that I will post when I return home but the one above is kinda cool. Tomarrow looks like I will run into scattered rain,seems to be following me,whats up with that???? anyway I hope you all have a great weekend

Keep the chrome side up

Dave

Day 5

Good Evening all

Today I covered 468 miles with the last 75 through the smoky mountains,What a great area,sure beats the flat lands between nashville and Flagstaff,Az. Today I visited the wish house in Nashville,TN. What a great staff they have in Nashville as you can see above.They gave me a huge wish star and I made it stick to the back of the bike.I had some well wishers give me friendly honks of encouragement today,which I needed because it was super hot and very humid today.Tomorrow after I visit the wish house in Nasherville,NC I am going to ride the Blue Ridge Highway into virgina with a goal of making the New York border sometime in the evening.I would like to thank everyone for all their support,but dont forget there is more kids that need wishes. I seen online tonight about the little boy whos wish was to be a super hero in Santa Ana . He had a wonderful day which started with a meeting with the Mayor so she could give him a list of villans. He then went out in the batcar on patrol. Way to go MAWOCIE for making a special little boy's wish to be a super hero come true,YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!

Have a great night

Dave

Day 4

hello

Today I found myself surrounded again by a wonderful wish house staff,this time in Little Rock Ar. I covered 398 miles today. I am about an hour away from Nashville TN and yes you guessed it there just so happens to be a wish house in that city also. I will visit them in the morning and head toward Nasherville NC. I should be able to make both,but the weather is making me stop more often, It has been hot and humid with rain scattered since Day 2. I am getting good and dodging thunder storms. I hear it is clear on the north east coast just very hot and humid there also,but I am determinded to make New York. I am looking forward to getting into some cooler weather,I hear the north is cool. I am leaning towards a canada route home then come down into Idaho then over to the coast. I still have a cpl more days to decide, Any idea's out there? anyway everyone have a great night

Remember it is not what you ride as long as you ride for wishes.

Dave

Day 3

I visited with Megan at the Amarrillo wish house.That chapter covers all the pan handle of texas and they do it with a staff of 4 people,which is a huge area. Keep up the good work Megan.

In the top picture I found myself surrounded by the staff at the Oklahoma Wish House. It was a great visit.The staff got to see Dylans wish video. They were all thrilled to see it and I even gave them a copy so they could share it with others. I would like to thank both Amarrillo and Oklahoma Wish house staff. They welcomed me with open arms. I am sitting here watching the weather and it looks like I got out of Oaklahoma City just in time.they got 3 inches of rain an hour after I left,so dodging storms today was what I was doing. I made about 430 miles today. I did not make Little Rock today but I should be at that wish house by mid morning tomorrow.

I would like to thank everyone for their support.I enjoy reading your comments on facebook. You all have a great night and I will write more tomorrow

Remember always hope for the best,then deal with the rest.

Keep the chrome side up

Dave

Day 2

hello

Today I made it to Amarillo Texas.total miles for the day was 536. went and seen my Aunt Betty when I arrived in TX. What a great lady she is,and talk about sharp as a tack. Staying with my cousin Joey for the night. It has been a nice ride and even got a light show tonight when we were on our way home from dinner. Tomorrow should find me pulling into Little Rock AR sometime in the early afternooon weather permitting. Anyway I hope everyone had a great weekend.will write more at my first stop in the morning. Night All

Day 1

Hello everyone

I am in Holbrook,Az which is about 647 miles from Lake Elsinore,Ca

Leaving at night was a very wise move even though I am in for the night and it is only noon July 4th. I have a bed and shower at the motel 6 which is just my style when alone on the road. I rode through some really nice areas of AZ and yes there is more then desert here. Anyway I am beat seeing I left last night at 11pm, I would like to thank everyone that came down to Orginal Mikes to see me off. As I ride across this country lets not forget who we are doing this for, THE WISH KIDS,They are so deserving and have gone through so much. The hope andjoy that is instilled in these kids will never be forgotten.. If youhave not done so please give alittle back and help these kids be granted ONE WISH.

Everyone have a great 4th of July holiday

Remember it does not matter what you ride as long as you Ride For Wishes.

Leaving tomorrow July 3rd

Hello
Well all the planning is over,the bike is ready willing and able to make this ride across the country on a mission to make wishes come true. I would like to invite everyone down to Orginal Mikes at 100 south main street in Santa Ana,Corner of Main and First street,tomorrow July 3rd. I will be there from 11am to around 3pm,come on down and show your support for Ride For Wishes,I will be Raffling off a weeks stay at the Winners Circle Resort to be used durning the week of July10 to July 17-20010. also while you are there have a ice cream sunday where 100% the proceeds with go to Make-A-Wish,so come on down and enjoy.
Remember it does not matter what you ride as long as you Ride For Wishes

3 days and counting

I have been alittle busy the last couple of days getting the bike all ready. I have got to admit I am alittle concrened about the weather. I look at it like this,I will hope for the best and deal with the rest.I am very determinded to make this years ride a safe trip,but at the same time I will move forward to make sure that a child is granted a wish they so deserve. I could not be doing this if it was not for the support of all my family and friends. You are all very special and I cheerish each and every one of you. I started this because of of two very special people in my life. Seeing the power one wish granted to Dylan was something I will never forget. How it perked him up and helped him by giving him the hope and joy to beat his illness was nothing short of amazing.Now I want other kids and there familys to experence this same feeling. The other reason was a promise I made to Bobby,you see rideforwishes is something we talked about doing together. I know Bobby will be with me for each and every mile I ride. I would like to invite everyone to help make wishes come true by printing out the flier and sending it in with your donations.I look forward to reading your comments as I cross this great country on a mission to help these kids be GRANTED ONE WISH

Hello

I would like to thank everyone that has helped to grant a child a wish.This year I will be going to New York,Via Hwy 40 and visiting as many wish houses I can along the way. Please check out my flier and if you would like to help make a very special childs wish come true please print the flier out and send it in with your donation.Thanks for you support.

The first annual ride for wishes was a total success in terms of
money raised, with 100% of donations going to the Make-A-Wish
Foundation. The ride itself was challenging, but it was a drop of
water in the ocean compared to the challenges that wish children
face daily. Last year, your donations made the wish of a local
child, to have her bedroom redecorated, come true. These wishes
enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy that
these children and their families so desperately need.
　
Please visit my my Facebook page, RideForWishes Rides, to learn more about my next adventure starting July 6th,2010.
This year, I will ride from Orange County to New York, stopping at several
wish houses along the way. Please help me make more wishes come true
this year and send donations the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Check my
Facebook to find t-shirts, mugs, and hats to support my ride – proceeds
from these items also help to support Make-A-Wish!
　
Thank you for your support and as my saying goes, it does not matter what
you ride, as long as you Ride for Wishes.
　
Thank you and keep the chrome side up!
　
Dave Rusk
ridefrowishes@aol.com
　
Please make donations to:
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County & Inland Empire
14232 Red Hill Ave.
Tustin, CA 92780
Please include Ride for Wishes in the memo on your check or money order.

Dear Family and Friends
I know it has been a while but the planning for Rideforwishes New York style is starting to take on steam.I have met with some very fantastic people at the Orange County and Inland Empire chapter of The Make-A-Wish Foundation durning the last few weeks and it is starting to take shape.We are going to get a twitter account going so you will be able to follow the ride there.I will also be posting ever chance I get on face book.If you want to friend me there it is called (Rideforwishes Rides).This years start date has not been set yet but will be within the next cpl of weeks,so stay tuned for more info. Like last year I will be making this trip to help raise awareness and resourses for a very special foundation that has not only helped my family by granting Dylans wish but grants wishes to thousands of kids all over this country. Last year I also had a promise to keep and that was to complete the ride to Alaska that my brother Bobby and I had planned to do together.This year I will be doing it to honor all the children that show so much courage in overcoming their illnesses.Seeing first hand the power of a wish has inspired me to cross this country on two wheels in hopes that everyone will find it in their hearts to support this event.

TO HELP MAKE WISHES COME TRUE:
Kindly make check payable to the Make-A-Wish Foundation
Please include Ride For Wishes in the memo.

Send Payment to:
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire
14232 Red Hill Avenue
Tustin,Ca 92780

For Further information please contact Dave Rusk at 714-875-1273
or rideforwishes@aol.com