By Brad Brickel
Mon, Jun 14, 2010
Forest Hill, MD - On December 3, 2008, 2-year old Katelynn Stinnett died of injuries she suffered when she was sexually abused and beaten by her 18 year old babysitter. As unacceptable as this behavior is her family wanted to ensure that they did their part to raise awareness about this silent epidemic in hopes of saving other families from suffering the greatest loss. As thousands of bikers across the nation grieved for the loss of this baby girl, they took up a collection and paid for her burial and her headstone which is inscribed with a poem written especially for her, by a biker. It reads:
"When I look down and hear the pipes roar, I will spread my wings and with you will soar"
Across the nation thousands and thousands of motorcyclists and parents alike vowed not to forget Katelynn and the thousands of children who suffer from child sexual abuse every year. With 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys being sexually abuse before 18, something has to be done to bring this epidemic out of the shadows of the unspoken. Consequently, in 2009 a nation wide event would be held each year in honor of Katelynn, and to raise money to help local child abuse prevention agencies. A group of Maryland based, caring riders called Katelynn Stinnett Ride Maryland decided to hold a local component of this national event, and for the second straight year has decided to donate the proceeds to The RAACE Foundation. For that we are truly honored.
This year's ride will start and end at Chesapeake Harley-Davidson in Darlington, MD and is actually a Poker Run, with an after party... With stops throughout Harford and Cecil Counties it will be a great day of remembrance and observance for kids who have had their lives destroyed by this selfish act. There are 39 million survivors in our country today; it is definitely Time to Talk about this silent epidemic!
Registration will be from 9 a.m. till 11:00a.m., with the last poker hand being drawn at 3 p.m. There will be prizes and free music provided by Ride Free and whatever else the group can come up with. The cost is $10.00 and $15.00 with a passenger. Extra poker hands are $5.00.
Remember the ride benefits The RAACE Foundation and serves as an ongoing memorial to not only little Katelynn, but to all of our children that have been a victim to child abuse. Everyone in the biker community can come together and make a difference and help educate people that this is something we will not tolerate or put up with. Please come out and show your support to our children and The RAACE Foundation.
This is also an official RALLY for RAACE Pre-Registration event. The only way to get your official 2010 RALLY for RAACE Tee Shirt is to pre-register. The 5th Annual RALLY for RAACE is Sunday, August 8th.
For more information on this Saturday's June 18th event please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit http://ksridemd.webs.com/. For information on The RAACE Foundation or The 5th Annual RALLY for RAACE please log onto www.raace.org or call 1-800-755-Kids.
