MOTOR SPORTS

Charity ride for MS nearing fundraising goal

Fox Award recipient Hanna Meronk of Stevens Point with Kayliah Meronk and Sonny Meronk of Rosholt at the 2015 MS Snowmobile Tour.

More than 120 snowmobilers came together in January for the 2015 MS Snowmobile Tour and organizers are closing in on their $293,000 fundraising goal. The money raised will go toward multiple sclerosis-related research, programs and services. Donations are still needed and can be made online at MSsnowmobiletour.org or by calling 262-369-4400.

More than 11,000 children, women and men in Wisconsin are known to have been diagnosed with MS, which is believed to be one of the higher prevalence rates in the nation. In total, MS Snowmobile Tour participants have raised more than $7 million during the event's history. Those dollars have helped fund advances in research that have led to the 15 treatments currently available for the most common forms of MS. When the Tour began, there were none.

The riders at the 2015 MS Snowmobile Tour.

The 32nd annual tour, held January 22-24, was based out of Lake of the Torches Resort Casino in Lac du Flambeau. In addition to covering 200 miles of guided riding through Vilas County, participants enjoyed meals along the trails, entertainment, a silent auction and a raffle drawing to win a 2015 Polaris Indy 600 with a red, white and blue 'freedom' wrap, a Triton Trailer and cash prizes.

Texas residents Christy “Ethel” Chaney, Michelle Stroud, Chris Potter, Patricia Revollo and Melissa Potter came to Wisconsin specifically for the 2015 MS Snowmobile Tour. “The MS Snowmobile Tour was an amazing experience that challenged me to step out of my ‘Texas Weather Comfort Zone’ and I learned that I was capable of more than I thought I could ever achieve,” Chaney said.

Next year's tour will be held January 28 to 30 at the Potawatomi Carter Casino and Hotel in Carter.

Also at the event, Hanna Meronk of Stevens Point and John Downs of Rockford, Ill., were presented with the Fox Award and the Garland Award, respectively, in honor of their dedication and commitment to the Tour.

Rockford Silk Screen Process and the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs were sponsors of the 2015 MS Snowmobile Tour.

Angie, Jenniy and Jerry Mavis of Stevens Point and Wittenberg, Hanna Meronk of Stevens Point, Gary Tryba of Wittenberg, and Sonny and Kayliah Meronk of Rosholt during a break from riding in and around Vilas County during the 2015 MS Snowmobile Tour.