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“Bikers are a family. When one of them is hurt, we all hurt,” Tuma said. “They are there for you, whatever you go through, rain or shine.”
Tuma has encouraged area motorcycle riders and bike shops to help support her close friend and fellow biker Jim Richardson of Mindoro, Wis., who was diagnosed with cancer in November 2007.
So motorcycle shops and bikers sent motorcycle-themed T-shirts to Tuma. After collecting more than 100, she stitched them into four quilts. Two will be auctioned off; a drawing will be held for one during a benefit for Jim on Saturday, June 7. The fourth quilt goes to Jim.
“I felt called to do this instantly because Jim lost his job, and I knew it would be costly,” Tuma said.
Jim initially had no idea Tuma and other friends were organizing the benefit for him, he said.
“I thank the Lord,” he said. “We were really blessed by friends like that.”
Jim, 55, was diagnosed with stage four squamous cell carcinoma of the lymph nodes. Tuma and another friend of Jim’s, Kathy Wagner, hope to raise about $20,000 from the benefit to help cover medical bills that Jim and his wife, Bonnie, have incurred.
Jim and Bonnie have been there for others in hard times, said Tuma.
“They are special people,” Wagner said. “They would do anything for anyone.”
Tuma met Jim and Bonnie when Tuma and her husband were involved in a motorcycle accident during a large group ride. Jim and Bonnie stayed with Tuma’s husband and the bike while Tuma left in the
ambulance.
Tuma and Wagner said they’ve been amazed by people’s generosity. Among other items, they received a football signed by the Green Bay Packers and a Packers helmet signed by Brett Favre. The items will be auctioned at the benefit.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans agreed to donate 33 cents for every dollar raised from the benefit.
The benefit also will include a bake sale, live auction, fish bowl auction, activities for kids, food, bike run, bike show and more. For more information visit www.suezquilts.com. Entrance is free.
Tickets for $5 or six for $25 can be purchased at the benefit or beforehand to win a .22-caliber rifle; king- or queen-size Harley T-shirt quilt; or cash prizes. You need not be present to win. To buy tickets for the drawing, call (608) 269-4088 or (608) 786-3284.
If you go
What: Benefit for Jim Richardson
When: 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 7
Where: Mindoro (Wis.) Lions Club — take Hwy. 108 to Mindoro, then west on Hwy. DE
KJ Lang can be reached at (608) 791-8226 or klang@lacrossetribune.com.
