The Rumsey Ride for STARS surpassed a milestone this year, passing 30 years and approaching raising $900,000.
The annual Ride for STARS is the longest-running fundraiser for STARS and so far this year’s event has raised over $45,000 and counting. This year there were 11 riders from ages 3 to 91.
Ernie Goddard has been there since day one and has never missed the event. This year he alone raised over $6,000. He was bested Lynn Tanner, who raised over $11,000.
Goddard says it is an easy cause to get behind.
“I always tell people when I am canvassing that it is an insurance policy I like to have in place, and hope to never use,” he says.
“People see that it helps and is needed in outlying areas.”
This being the 30th anniversary, Dr. Gregory Powell and his wife Linda, the founders of STARS was on the site and spoke to the crowd. Goddard said Powell recounted some of the early days of STARS where there were days they didn’t even know how they would keep the office open.
‘When we started it was a big lift for them, and we are the only group that has continued. Most fundraisers last about five years,” said Goddard.
Also at the event was their STARS VIP Blair Anderson, who was rescued by STARS after being thrown from a horse. Goddard says without STARS, and its quick action, Anderson may have never walked again.