The Reunion Bash at The House of Harley in Milwaukee was a huge success for The RAACE Foundation. This accomplishment was only possible thanks to the efforts and help of The House of Harley, Shell Oil Products, the Chopper Chick Crew and the numerous fantastic volunteers who came out for the Reunion Bash.

Friday, August 29 was the famed Women’s Day at The House of Harley’s Reunion Bash, and The RAACE Foundation had been chosen as the official charity for the day. As a result of various events throughout the day proceeds were donated to The RAACE Foundation, including nearly $300 from the Charity Bar where tips were elicited by volunteers from the Milwaukee Chapter of Women in the Wind and RAACE Foundation volunteers John Bentz and JB Bratcher. In addition, a booth was provided by The House of Harley for The RAACE Foundation near the busiest area at the Reunion Bash, opposite The House of Harley, to help raise awareness. The booth was generously made available on Saturday for autograph sessions with the Chopper Chick Crew and Doug Horne. Over those two days, the motorcycle community showed its support to eliminate child sexual abuse by giving over $350 in direct donations.

As part of the Women’s Day festivities, The Chopper Chick Crew did an amazing job during their charity bike build to benefit The RAACE Foundation, finishing in 8 hours and 45 minutes. The total estimated value of the two-tone Harley-Davidson Sportster with custom accessories, modifications and paint is estimated at well over $35,000. But, in the end, the worth of such a generous donation of time and materials for the prevention and healing of child sexual abuse is priceless.

“The House of Harley was just great to work with. And we know that having Shell all over the bike has really helped open doors for The RAACE Foundation. This is going to continue to help them for a long time,” said Athena Ransom, Chopper Chick Crew member.

Before the presentation by the Chopper Chick Crew and Brooke Pape of The House of Harley, RAACE Foundation Programs and Services Director, Vickie Brooks, asked that everyone join in wishing RAACE Foundation Founder, Ken Smith, a happy birthday: Shell Oil Products representative Karyn Leonardi-Cattolica, House of Harley staff, Chopper Chick Crew members, media and Reunion Bash participants joined in the celebration. When the bike was started, to the relief of the Chicks, the crowd went wild. The Chicks then stuck around for photos and interviews with the local news crews and national magazines there to cover the event.

“During the build, Vickie and I wouldn’t look at the bike. We wanted to keep the excitement for the final product. It was a very emotional moment for us, the Chopper Chicks and all our volunteers. We can’t even begin to thank Athena and the Chopper Chick Crew for what they did. This bike build and the media attention it has brought to eliminating child sexual abuse…I just can’t think of a better birthday present than that,” said Ken.

Also on hand to help raise awareness was RAACE Foundation Family of Drivers member Doug Horne who rolled in on Friday fresh from a victory at the Salem Harley-Davidson Northwest Nationals. With him came his family and crew, as well as his Harley-Davidson Pro Fuel drag bike. Doug fired the engine numerous times throughout the day, drawing large crowds of on-lookers to The RAACE Foundation booth.

Doug, his father Steve, mother Vickie, and sister Jessica, as well as RAACE Foundation volunteer Dawn Bentz also took part in the Women’s Day ride, along with nearly 300 women and their families, led by the Women in Motion Roadguards. Many of the riders wore purple RAACE Foundation Women’s Day shirts, some with purple and yellow ribbons in their hair, face paint and even purple hair. Proceeds from the sale of Women’s Day shirts raised nearly $300 for the RAACE to Raise $2,000,000 fundraising campaign. The RAACE Foundation staff stayed at the booth during the ride, handing out awareness materials and talking one on one with Reunion Bash participants about how to prevent child sexual abuse.

“I talked to a number of women who had been sexually abused as children. They said they wished someone had been out there with this information while they were going through the abuse and then trying to recover. I gave a lot of hugs that weekend,” shared Vickie.

Saturday Doug signed autographs and RAACE Foundation posters alongside the Chopper Chick Crew. RAACE Foundation staff and volunteers continued to hand out thousands of pieces of awareness material and talk with participants. Saturday also saw several great raffle prizes handed out. The prizes were donated by corporate friends of The RAACE Foundation such as the Chopper Chick Crew, California Harley-Davidson, Lucky Girl Handbags and Accessories out of Long Beach, CA and Mama JuJu.

The RAACE Foundation cannot fulfill its mission without the help of its volunteers and corporate sponsors. Without the further support of people like Karyn Leonardi-Cattolica and the whole V-Power Team from Shell Oil Products; Brooke Pape and the entire staff of The House of Harley; Athena, Jayme, JoAnn, Vivian, Kate and Jena of the Chopper Chick Crew; RAACE Foundation volunteers Dawn Bentz, John Bentz and JB Bratcher; Doug, Steve, Vickie, Jessica and the rest of Team Horne, the elimination of child sexual abuse could never be achieved.

For more information on The RAACE Foundation, please visit www.raace.org, e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 1-800-755-KIDS.

The RAACE Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the epidemic of child sexual abuse. With the help of racers and fans, The RAACE Foundation can educate adults so no child has to suffer that silent fate. The RAACE Foundation and those who support their goal to Race Against Abuse of Children Everywhere know that until every child is safe from abuse, our RAACE has no finish line.