116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Aiming for a Cure supporter rebuilds motorcycle that keeps getting donations
RIVERSIDE — The alchemists of old could only dream of the feat Randy Schmitt and a host of other good-hearted people have accomplished.
Schmitt and friends, in a streak of contagious generosity designated 'the gift that keeps on giving,' have performed the modern day equivalent of converting base metals into gold.
They turned an unloved 1982 Honda motorcycle into more than $20,000 for the Aiming for a Cure Foundation, which will use the money to help children with cancer.
'I guess you could say we made a silk purse out of a sow's ear,' said Schmitt of Cedar Rapids.
Following the 2014 Aiming for a Cure banquet, Schmitt, a longtime foundation supporter and rebuilder of motorcycles, wondered aloud how he could be more helpful to the cause. His wife suggested that he rebuild a motorcycle and auction it off, with the proceeds to benefit the foundation.
Two weeks later, with $3,500 donated mostly by co-workers at Van Meter Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Schmitt went to work.
The dazzling finished product, replete with Aiming for a Cure logos, brought $7,800 when it was auctioned a year ago at the 2015 banquet.
Rather than enjoy the ride, however, the successful bidders, longtime foundation supporters Randy Legrand and John Jensen, co-owners of Raynor Door in Cedar Rapids, spent the following year taking the bike around to car and motorcycle shows, selling $10 chances to win it.
The $8,500 thus raised went to the foundation, the exposure raised its profile in the community and the lucky winner, Chuck Bassett of Cedar Rapids, in turn gave the bike back to raise additional money in an online auction.
'It's one of the most rewarding things I've ever done,' Schmitt said.
The motorcycle proceeds helped the foundation raise more than $200,000 overall this year, said co-founder Steve Ries.
'We had more awareness and energy come out of (last weekend's) event than ever before,' said Ries, noting that the 511 attendees at Saturday evening's banquet represented a 20 percent increase over the previous record attendance.
The annual event, in which participants hunt pheasants and shoot clay birds at Highland Hideaway Hunting, 'is like a wonderful family reunion with people gathering to show their love and support for families dealing with cancer,' said co-founder Jodie Ries.
The Rieses' son Ben, who faced cancer with optimism and a will to support other sick children, helped his family establish the foundation before his death in 2005.
Ben's love of dogs and hunting was the inspiration for Aiming for a Cure, which integrates those passions into an annual fundraiser that in 13 years has raised almost $2 million to support cancer patients and their families at hospitals in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.
Cancer survivor Daniel Madden, 21, of Morning Sun, who broke 94 of 100 clay birds last Sunday, said he deeply appreciates Aiming for a Cure supporters coming together to help people going through cancer.
'I am so thankful to be around so many supportive people praying for you, pulling for you,' he said.
That, said Jodie Ries, is what Aiming for a Cure is about: 'Helping cancer kids grow up.'
Gary McNeese rests on the tailgate of a truck with Cory, a hunting dog, after a full morning of pheasant hunting at Highland Hideaway Hunting in Riverside during Aiming for a Cure's Celebrity Hunt charity event, Saturday March 12, 2016. (Jessie Wardarski/The Gazette)
Cory takes a drink of water as a group of Aiming for a Cure attendees and volunteers pheasant hunt at Highland Hideaway Hunting in Riverside, Saturday March 12, 2016. (Jessie Wardarski/The Gazette)
A group of attendees, supporters and volunteers hunt the grounds of Highland Hideaway Hunting in Riverside during the Aiming for a Cure Celebrity Hunt event, Saturday March 12, 2016. The charity has held this event for the past 13 years to raise awareness and funds in hopes of finding a cure for many forms of childhood cancer. (Jessie Wardarski/The Gazette)
Clint Price (from left), Wade Kisner, Matt Tobin, Butch Reid and Randy Legrand take a water break while pheasant hunting at Highland Hideaway Hunting in Riverside during Aiming for a Cure's Celebrity Hunt event, Saturday March 12, 2016. (Jessie Wardarski/The Gazette)
Gary McNeese (from left) rests on the tailgate of a truck next to hunting dogs, Cory and Sweet Lou, and hunting guide Wade Kisner, after a full morning of pheasant hunting at Highland Hideaway Hunting in Riverside during Aiming for a Cure's Celebrity Hunt charity event, Saturday March 12, 2016. (Jessie Wardarski/The Gazette)
Cancer survivor Daniel Madden of Morning Sun, shoots clay pigeons at the Celebrity Hunt charity event held each year by Aiming for a Cure at Highland Hideaway Hunting in Riverside, Saturday March 12, 2016. (Jessie Wardarski/The Gazette)
A group of hunters and hunting dogs get ready to pheasant hunt at Highland Hideaway Hunting in Riverside during Aiming for a Cure's Celebrity Hunt event, Sunday March 13, 2016. (Jessie Wardarski/The Gazette)
A large group of hunters and volunteers gather in the rain before an afternoon hunt during Aiming for a Cure's Celebrity Hunt event held at Highland Hideaway Hunting in Riverside, Sunday March 13, 2016. The charity has held the event for the past 13 years and has raised almost $2 million. (Jessie Wardarski/The Gazette)
Gary McNeese adjusts his head camera before pheasant hunting during the Aiming for a Cure Celebrity Hunt event at Highland Hideaway Hunting in Riverside, Saturday March 12, 2016. (Jessie Wardarski/The Gazette)
Daily Newsletters