I try to participate in charity events as often as I can, but this weekend I participated in one that was really close to my heart. Some of you locals know a dear friend of our family, Missy Wylie, passed away on Valentine’s Day when her husband killed her in a fit of domestic violence. She left behind a 23 year old son who is a full time college student and a 7 year old son who is now left with his brother as his only family.

Saturday night we all pitched in to throw the Wylie Boys Musical Benefit behind Columbos Pizza, and I seriously can’t believe how great we did! There were 5 bands including my father-in-law’s band, The Strollbums, lots of food, and $10 t-shirts. We were all hoping to raise a couple thousand, and we’d be ecstatic if we could raise $5,000. Imagine our surprise when the totals were announced yesterday, and we found out we were $50 short of $13,000!!

We’ll definitely be doing this benefit again next year, and I’m hoping I can get some people together to add a motorcycle charity ride as well. This summer I was supposed to ride in two charity rides, one to raise money for Mesothelioma treatment and the other to raise money for local kids in need.

Unfortunately I won’t be able to ride this year, but I’ll still try to raise money any way I can. Next year even though I’ll have the baby I may have to try to find time to work in a few extra charity rides to make up for the fact that I can’t ride this year.