The Rhode Home: Ronald McDonald House Bike Run

(WPRI) -- Hundreds of motorcycle riders will gather in Swansea on July 8 to ride for a great cause.

Cardi’s Furniture and the Ronald McDonald House Providence are gearing up for the 9th Annual Ronald McDonald House Bike Ride, which was created in honor of Ed Holewiak.

Even if you don't have a motorcycle, families are certainly welcome, and can park in the field next to Cardi's Furniture's water tank to watch the parade of bikes take off. Food will be available our friends at McDonald’s, and a great afternoon is in store after the ride.

The rally runs about a 50 miles through scenic Swansea, Rehoboth and a few other communities, and the riders will end up at Francis Farm in Rehoboth for food, a burn-out pit, vendors, a DJ, and live music from “The Water Buffalos"!

The Holewiak family stayed at the house years ago while their son Eddie was undergoing care at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. After his passing, his family, being motorcycle enthusiasts, wanted to put together an event to help the house that helped them and the motorcycle run was started. 

The event has raised over $200,000 over the years, and the money goes directly into the mission of providing a home away from home for the families of critically-ill children.

Riders will assemble at Cardi’s Furniture in Swansea, Mass., located near Exit 2 off of Rt. 195.

Registration for the event begins at 8 a.m., and the ride begins at 10:15 a.m.

For more information about the race, check out the Ronald McDonald House's website!