Goodfellas Riding Club has donated thousands of dollars to local community causes through annual Mags/Byrnes Ride
Members of Goodfellas Riding Club ... Left to right - Front row: Jodi Farley, Glen Palmer, Holly Palmer, Carly Palmer, Kyle Johnson, Stacy Riley, Brock Christianson; Sarah Christianson; Back row: Tom Farley, Tanner Peterson, Trent Peterson, James Riley, Mike Peterson, Audrea Peterson, Courtney Humpal, Tina Peterson. Submitted photo.
Along for the ride ... Some of the bikes parked along the street at the first stop of this year’s Mags/Byrnes Ride. The event is the club’s largest fundraiser and involves 100-150 people most years. Submitted photo.
Goodfellas Riding Club 2021 Scholarship winners ... Through its fundraising efforts, Goodfellas Riding Club (GRC) was able to donate 11 $1,000 scholarships to area graduating seniors at this year’s Mags/Byrnes Ride. Pictured above, left to right, are: GRC Vice President Kyle Johnson, Scholarship winners Marcus Gibbs, Andrew Osmonson, Ryan Lubahn, Shelby Martin, Denzel Decker, Annika Lensch, Grant Kennedy, Grace Pearson, Sean Cooper and GRC President James “Chico” Riley. Not pictured are scholarship recipients Jacob Reinhardt and Garrett Byrnes. Submitted photo.
by Lissa Blake
“We’re on two wheels to get you on your feet.”
That’s the motto of Goodfellas Riding Club (GRC), a non-profit group of like-minded individuals who get together to ride motorcycles or operate motorized vehicles in order to raise funds to help local charities or individuals in the surrounding community.
Since its formation in 2012, the group has donated almost $85,000 to local scholarships, businesses and individuals who may be in need. Among the local entities benefiting from those efforts are the local Kids Club after school program, the Allamakee County Food Shelf, Allamakee County Relief Center and the Allamakee Community School District Nurses Fund, to name just a few.
MAGS/BYRNES RIDE
The organization recently held its biggest fundraiser of the year, the Mags/Byrnes Memorial Ride, which took place Saturday, June 19. The ride is in memory of Waukon High School graduates Kevin Magner (Class of 1996) and Jared Byrnes (Class of 1997), who died when their motorcycles collided in a 1998 accident.
James “Chico” Riley, Magner’s brother and GRC president, said they started the club in an effort to try to honor Magner and Byrnes.
“We started out wanting to do something like a $500 scholarship. Over the years, the donations have been unreal. Now we’re donating 11, $1000 scholarships,” said Riley.
Sarah Christianson, GRC secretary, said the group has approximately 16 active members, but the annual Mags/Byrnes Ride is often attended by 100-150 people each year.
“We charge $20 per person to go on the ride, and you don’t have to take a motorcycle. You can ride in a car or Jeep. Some families have rented buses,” said Christianson.
Christianson said the support for the silent and live auctions that have also been part of the event over the years has been tremendous, with all of the auction items being donated.
“I post every donation on our Facebook page. We just want to thank everyone for their donations,” she said.
WHO IT HELPS
In the Club’s first year, it donated $50 to the Allamakee Food Shelf. By 2014, it was donating $2,000 to area families in need. From 2015-2018, it gave out $3,000 in scholarships. In 2020 there was $5,000 in scholarships, and this year the group was able to distribute a total of $11,000 in scholarships.
Other beneficiaries of the Club’s donations include scholarship recipients who apply for scholarship renewal, cancer patients, victims of house fires, Toys for Tots and more.
“We don’t really have an application people have to fill out for help. It’s mostly word of mouth. Someone knows someone who is struggling,” said Christianson.
Other recipients have included the Combat Vets Ride, Waukon High School Yearbook, Good Samaritan Society, Waterville Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ride, Waukon Boy Scouts and Veterans Memorial Hospital Babysitting Class, among others.
“Last year alone, we donated approximately $3,700 to local businesses by purchasing gift cards or certificates to help with funds lost because of COVID-19. We then passed those out as door prizes at our ride last year,” said Christianson.
IN APPRECIATION
In appreciation for all of the support provided to the club by the community, Club representatives issued the following statement:
“Each year we are amazed by the overwhelming support and generosity of our community and area businesses. Their support, both through donations and attendance of our ride and auction, is incredibly humbling. Through their generous gifts and contributions, we are able to help support those in need in our community and offer scholarships to those attending a higher education. We are honored to keep the memory of Jared Byrnes and Kevin Magner alive through the annual Mags/Byrnes Memorial Ride.”
For more information about Goodfellas Riding Club, visit Goodfellas Riding Club on Facebook or www.goodfellasrc.com.
