Local State Senator Jeff Denham and the lead singer of the pop
band Smash Mouth will be hitting the road Marlon Brando style
during the Hollister Independence Rally in an effort to raise much
needed funds for a worthy local cause.
Hollister – Local State Senator Jeff Denham and the lead singer of the pop band Smash Mouth will be hitting the road Marlon Brando style during the Hollister Independence Rally in an effort to raise much needed funds for a worthy local cause.
Denham, R-Merced, Smash Mouth front man Steve Harwell and a host of other motorcycle enthusiasts will participate in a charity motorcycle run on July 2 to raise money for the Help Save the Cancer Kids Foundation.
The run through San Benito County’s wine country will be sponsored by the Hollister Independence Rally Committee and Pietra Santa Winery, said Rally organizer Ann Ventura.
The event will kick off around 11:15am with a speech from the nonprofit’s founder, 15-year-old cancer survivor Madison Eastman. Eastman suffered from leukemia when she was 7 years old and decided to form the foundation three years ago, with a little help from her friends at HIRC.
“When we start, Madison will talk – there won’t be a dry eye in the place and the pocketbooks will open, hopefully, because we really need to raise some money for this great cause,” Ventura said.
The nonprofit foundation raises money to directly affect families of children with cancer by helping with car payments, buying laptops, or simply putting food on the table, said Madison’s mother, Colleen Eastman.
While being treated for cancer, the young Hollister resident watched other children’s families struggling to meet basic financial needs while paying exorbitant medical bills and deal with the tragedy cancer has on a young life, Colleen Eastman said. And while other teenagers are wrapped up in going to the mall and hanging out with the friends, Madison Eastman has been focused on one goal – Help Save the Cancer Kids – since triumphing over the life-threatening disease.
“She was determined at 8 that this is what she wanted to do,” her mother said. “Maddy is one of the best people I know.”
While most of the money raised goes to families locally and in the Bay Area, the dollar goes a long way overseas, she said.
“We’ve never wanted to limit it. Cancer doesn’t have any borders, so why should we?” Madison said. “This is the first (charity run) and I hope it’s not the last. It’s going to a good cause.”
The run, which begins in the Target parking lot and weaves down Airline Highway through Tres Pinos to Pietra Santa, will conclude with a tri-tip barbecue, wine and live music. There will be a silent auction that will include a guitar specially made and signed by the members of heavy metal band Metallica, along with three $300 gift certificates from Corbin Motors, Ventura said. A $30 entry fee will be charged. Five dollars, will go into the nonprofit’s coffers, Ventura said, with the rest going to pay for the costs of the event. All the money raised through the auction will go to the foundation.
Although the run is focused around bikers, people without a motorcycle may also participate. Anyone interested may sign up at HIRC’s downtown office, located at 417 San Benito St. or www.hollisterrally.com or contact pietrasantawinery.com.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or em*******@fr***********.com
