OXFORD,
Miss. – Students in Greek organizations at the University of
Mississippi are teaming with a group of north Mississippi motorcycle
enthusiasts to help families of seriously ill children.
The UM
Office of Greek Life has partnered with the Dream Riders to host a
fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House in Jackson. The event is set
for 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday (March 10) on the Student Union Plaza.
Everyone is invited to contribute money or supplies to the effort.
The
students and bikers hope to collect enough material to fill a large
trailer. Requested supplies include food, office materials and cleaning
supplies. (See detailed list of items below.)
“We are definitely
looking forward to raising a significant amount of proceeds for the
children at the Ronald McDonald House,” said Risher Caves, a junior
liberal arts major from Laurel who is public relations chair for the
Interfraternity Council. “They provide a lot of needed support for
children in need, and we look forward to helping them.”
The Dream Riders plan to sell T-shirts for $15 and give free bike rides. After the fundraiser, a group of bikers and Interfraternity Council members will visit UM sorority and fraternity houses to collect their donations.
“We are always excited to do what we can for children in need,” said biker John Williamson, UM professor of medicinal chemistry. “This makes it fun because the Dream Riders get to show off their bikes.”
When receiving advanced medical treatment, seriously ill children and their family often spend a significant amount of time away from home. Ronald McDonald Houses help keep families together during treatments by offering temporary, home-like lodging close to medical centers. The UM Medical Center’s Jackson branch of the Ronald McDonald House has been a home-away-from-home for such families since 1989.
At first glance, the Dream Riders appear to be an average motorcycle club, but underneath the leather, they are a philanthropic organization that focuses on improving the lives of children.
“At first, I thought the Dream Riders were just grizzly biker men,” said Alex Green, a freshman liberal arts major from Laurel who is philanthropy chair of the Interfraternity Council. “After I saw some of them tear up remembering children they have helped, I realized they may love their bikes, but they also love to help kids.”
The Dream Riders have been biking for kids for more than a decade. The organization has five chapters in three states. The north Mississippi group is Chapter A, the founding chapter.
After the fundraiser, the Dream Riders plan to ride their bikes to Jackson with the donation-filled trailer. Knowing that the children are the recipients of our efforts makes it all worthwhile, Williamson said.
Requested donations include the following items:
– Office supplies: Masking tape, permanent markers, postage stamps, various printer cartridges
– Food: Individual-size boxed cereals and snack food items, toaster pastries, individual packaged meals
– Cleaning and kitchen supplies: Liquid laundry detergent, household cleaners, disinfectant spray, self-squeeze mops, trash bags, aluminum foil
Miscellaneous needs: Discount store gift cards and certificates, pre-paid phone cards (30-60 minute), plug-in air fresheners, 60-watt light bulbs, family movie DVDs, umbrellas, disposable rubber gloves.
For more information or a complete list of needs, contact John Williamson at 662-915-7142 or mcjsw@olemiss.edu or stop by his office at Faser Hall, Room 415W, in the UM School of Pharmacy.