Thanks to all of the participants, sponsors and supporters of the 2009 Wheels of Hope Ride. We had 123 registrants this year, up from 100 in 2008. Riders came from 48 different towns and 7 states on the way to raising over $11,000 for cancer survivorship.

Special thanks go out to all of the many contributors and volunteers who directed traffic, registered participants, provided food and support at rest-stops, and gave other assistance. They include Boy Scout Troop 70, Clintonville, Frankford and Smoot Fire Departments, Frankford Ruritan Club, Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Dept., James Chapel Church, Jeff Jeffus, Jimmy Burns, Lewisburg City Police, Ronceverte Mutual Improvement Club, Sarah Umberger, Tim Hofmann, Todd Hardy, Williamsburg 4-H, and WV State Police.

Individuals generously volunteering their time and talents to plan and assist with this event were Alinda Perrine, Butch Hickman, Carolyn Komar, Harvey Neel, Jim Wade, John Francis, Kim Erskine, Liz Wickline, Patty Hobbs, and Valerie Zahuranec.

In-kind support was provided by Agust Gudmundsson, Brown's Photography, Cornerstone IGA, Driftwood Sign and Frame, The Forum, Free Spirit Adventures, Greenbrier Valley YMCA, Hair Fantastics, Mary Page Nemcik, New River Community & Technical College, Paulette's Bakery, and Plum Creek.

Diamond sponsors this year were Plum Creek and Anonymous donor, and the platinum sponsor was Country Vintner of WV.

Gold sponsors were Country Road Realty LLC, Greenbrier Valley Medical Center Seniors, Falling Springs Vineyard, FoxFire Mountain Properties, Free Spirit Adventures, Heritage House Appraisal, Lewisburg Rotary Club, and Sarah and Jim Umberger.

Silver sponsors were ABB, Inc., Goodrich, Bill Dukart & Janice Centa, Thomas & Karen Steele, D.O.’s, Food and Friends, Fritz's Pharmacy, Grand Home Furnishings, Greenbrier Medical Arts Pharmacy, Irish Pub, Jeff Jeffus, A.T.C., Jeffrey and Denise Graves, McClung Health and Wellness, Sheri Ward, and The Eye Center.

Bronze sponsors were Aviagen (Nicholas) Turkey, Dermatology Centers Inc., Meadows & Meadows DDS, Stinson-Lane, Sunny Delite Tanning Salon, and Tag & Annabelle Galyean.

The event will be held again next year on July 17th, with the goals of an even larger turn-out and raising more money than this year. Anyone wishing to sponsor or assist in next year’s event, or wishing to send a gift to someone in need, please contact Bill Zahuranec, ride organizer, at billz73@gmail.com or 304-645-5807.