Volunteers Ready to Give Their All for Motorcycle Rally

Motorcycle enthusiasts can share their passion while supporting a good cause during the fourth annual Sherbrooke Village Rally That Gives.

From Aug. 26 to Aug. 28, historic Sherbrooke Village in Guysborough County will host a motorcycle Show and Shine, a blues concert, raffles, meals and games.

Since its debut three years ago, the rally has served as a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society's Lodge That Gives, a home away from home for cancer patients and their families living more than 50 kilometres from the cancer treatment centre in Halifax.

Following his own positive experience with the lodge, Sherbrooke Village director George Brothers looked for a way to support the organization's efforts to provide patients with a comfortable and reassuring environment as they undergo treatment. An avid fan of motorcycles, Mr. Brothers proposed the idea of hosting a rally in the village.

"I wanted to find a way to not only say thank you to the lodge but, also, to help make sure that others are able to receive the same assistance I received," said Mr. Brothers. "The rally seemed like a fun and different way to do just that."

Thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers who serve on the organizing committee, more than $10,000 has been donated to the lodge over the past three years.

This year Gwen Robar, an event participant, has donated a hand-made patchwork quilt to the fundraiser for a raffle prize.

"I just knew I had to do something extra to help this worthy cause," said Ms. Robar. "And quilting is definitely something I can do."

The one-of-a-kind quilt displays embroidered rules of the road, various motorcycle sayings and a stylized Rally That Gives logo. The draw for the quilt will take place Aug. 27 at the rally.

Motorcyclists interested in participating in the event can visit the rally’s blog at http://rallythatgives.blogspot.com or call 1-888-743-7845 for details on registration.

Visitors can visit the rally, outside the Sherbrooke Village gates, or the museum. The Lodge That Gives will accept donations for admission into the rally area. For information on Sherbrooke Village events, admission and hours of operation visit http://sherbrookevillage.museum.gov.ns.ca.