By Brad Brickel
Thu, Jul 8, 2010
Forest Hill, MD - On Saturday June 19th, 2010 a group of volunteers, riders, and businesses came together to celebrate the short life of Katelynn Stinnet and to raise awareness about the terrible epidemic of child sexual abuse. The day is also part of a nationally recognized event where riders get together to show support for her families dream of helping local charities that work to stop child sexual abuse and in Harford County Maryland, that charity is The RAACE Foundation.
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 celebrated together to remember Katelynn and the thousands of children who suffer from child sexual abuse every year. This year's ride saw 68 bikes start and end at Chesapeake Harley-Davidson in Darlington, MD for the Poker Run... with stops throughout Harford and Cecil Counties. It was a great day of remembrance and observance for kids and adult survivors alike who have had their lives destroyed by this selfish act. Over $700 was raised that day and donated to The Race Against Abuse of Children Everywhere aka The RAACE Foundation.
The RAACE Foundation would like to thank event coordinator William Blevins as well as Steph & Jess who helped at registration and Vikki for helping at one of the stops. RAACE would also like to recognize the companies that sponsored the event and donated raffle items and their time to help make the day special: Chesapeake Harley-Davidson, The Susquehanna Inn, Jumbo Jimmys, Bill Batemans Bistro(Havre De Grace), Razorback Customs, Longshots Sports Bar, Zoellers Custom Cycles, Renegade Classics(Baltimore), House Of Ponchos Tattoos, and the band - Ride Free.
This is the 2nd year William Blevins has put this event together and each year hereafter, the events and rides to celebrate Katelynn will take place on the third Saturday of June. He does this to promote awareness and prevention of child abuse, as well as to raise funds for local child abuse programs. Plans are already underway for the 2011 Katelynn Stinnett Memorial Ride Maryland, so mark your calenders to be at Chesapeake Harley-Davidson on Saturday, June 18th, 2011
For more information on this 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.
