The international motorcycle group Hamsters USA raised $257,000 for Children’s Care in Rapid City during their annual meeting and dinner on Monday, August 9th. The banquet was held in Spearfish, SD, as part of the Sturgis Rally. Proceeds go to serve children with special needs.

Funds were raised through a silent auction and a $5,000 cash raffle. The raffle winner was Jim Betlach of Victoria, MN. Second place winner for $500 was Randy Aron of San Diego, CA, and the third place winner for $250 was Bill Connor of San Diego. All three are members of Hamsters USA, and all three donated their winnings back to Children’s Care! Wow–thanks!!!!

Funds raised will provide physical, occupational, and speech therapies, plus special educational and psychological services, to children in Western South Dakota - plus parts of Wyoming - through Children’s Care of Rapid City.

Hamsters USA has raised and donated funds at their annual meeting for the last four years, wanting to give back to the greater Black Hills community, which many Hamsters consider to be their second home. Their gifts help provide services to children in their own homes and communities, delivered by Children’s Care personnel who drive over 10,000 miles a month to provide services.

Bruce Rossmeyer and family honored with 5th annual Chrome Heart Award
The late Bruce Rossmeyer, who died in a traffic accident last year on July 30th on his way to the Sturgis Rally, was honored with the 5th annual Chrome Heart Award. Children’s Care presents the Chrome Heart Award to “an individual in the motorcycle world whose philanthropic support and civic duty represents everything positive in the industry and sport of motorcycling.” Rossmeyer was the owner of several Harley-Davidson dealerships in Florida, as well as in Colorado and Mississippi, and was the developer of the annual bike rally Destination Daytona and many other motorcycle events. He was an active supporter of and generous donor to many children’s charities, including Children’s Care Hospital & School. The award was accepted by Rossmeyer’s son, Will, of Ormond Beach, Florida.

It was a great event, with the generosity of the Hamsters shining through as usual. Our thanks go to them - literally, there are children who wouldn’t get services without them. As the Hamsters are fond of saying, “It’s all good.”