By Emma Rausch
emma@thepaperofwabash.com
WABASH COUNTY, Ind. – Brandt’s Harley-Davidson donated $3,600 to the Wabash County United Fund on Friday, June 16. Those funds will be matched thanks to the Indiana Association of United Ways and United Funds, according to Steve Johnson, Wabash County United Fund executive director.
“So it doubles to $7,200 worth will benefit the local community and we’ll use those funds … to distribute to our 19 different agencies and support any other programs that are supported by the United Fund,” Johnson said. “This (Brandt’s donation) will actually be the first of the donations for the 2017 campaign. So we’ll put it toward our newest campaign that will actually kick in September.”
The Wabash-based Harley business raised the funds at its Jesse James Breakfast Ride on Saturday, June 3. The event served approximately 65 pounds of pancakes to nearly 500 riders, according to Mark Shanks, Brandt’s marketing manager and event coordinator.
“We charged $15 a person and this (donation) is only some of it,” he said. “We’re giving some of it to Grant County CASA. … We used this opportunity to give back more locally through the United Fund.”
The event would not have been possible without ride’s namesake, Jesse James Dupree from the band Jackyl, “who made this all possible by donating his time, effort and his name,” Shanks continued.
Johnson said that he and the United Fund are “very grateful” to Shanks, Brandt’s and those that attended the breakfast ride.
“I had the opportunity to talk with some of the riders that came through and registered for this event,” he said, “and it was very heartening to know that they try to identify opportunities throughout the riding season to participate, especially the charity rides and the memorial rides.”
“Motorcyclists as a group are very giving people,” Shanks added.
“Yes and it’s an opportunity for them to get out and ride, but also to benefit local programs and local organizations, too,” Johnson continued. “It was great to hear from them, the people who were participating in the ride.”
Wabash County is “fortunate” to have local companies, like Brandt’s, that “maintain such a high level of community involvement,” Johnson said.
“Brandt’s Harley-Davidson is one that creatively demonstrates how to bring customers into their facility and do it in a way that benefits the rest of the community in the process,” he added. “Thank you, Brandt’s, for your generosity and support.”