Message from Shanti

On behalf of the clients, volunteers and staff at Shanti, I would like to congratulate the 200 participants for being a part of the 4th Annual Ride for Life, which took place on Sunday, October 15, 2000. 

Together, I am proud to say that we raised over $31,000 for people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, breast cancer and other life-threatening and chronic illnesses.   For 26 years Shanti has been at the forefront of providing emotional and practical peer support services for people with life-threatening illnesses. The Ride for Life has become Shanti’s second-largest annual fund-raiser and we hope to continue to build each year. 

This year we met at the Kilowatt on 16th Street in San Francisco, where participants had a chance to meet and mingle, as well as have a glance at the couple of hundred motorcycles that spread over two city blocks.  What a site… and what a feeling!  Men and women from all over the Bay Area showed, dawned their leather and waited for the official start by Hank Plante, co-anchor of KPIX Channel 5 Eyewitness News.

As KPIX cameras and people came from their homes to watch the excitement, we heard the sound of almost 200 motorcycles start-up and ride in one dramatic pack through the streets of San Francisco… all wearing commemorative pins and arm bands reflecting the logo and statement “Ride for Life!” We want to thank the motorcycle officers of the San Francisco Police Department who volunteered their time to escort us through the city and up to the Golden Gate Bridge.

From there, the pack split into three different groups, offering participants scenic choices of either a coastal, farm or direct route to the Russian River.  We all arrived and shared a hearty chicken and ribs barbecue lunch at the Northwood Restaurant in beautiful Monte Rio. 

Lunch was followed by a raffle, where participants walked away with prizes like theater and concert tickets and gift certificates, Russian River hotel stays, tee shirts and other items donated by various business and community groups. 

Participants paid a nominal $25 per person donation to Shanti in San Francisco to join the ride, while many raised additional pledges from family, friends and co-workers.  The money raised went to help Shanti continue and expand services for people with AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses.  Prizes, like commemorative tee shirts and bags are awarded for various pledge levels.  Soni, who has been riding with Shanti since 1997, collected almost $1900 in pledges, and earned the status of top fundraiser and two tickets on American Airlines!  Congratulations Soni… and thank you for your dedication and support.

I want to thank our volunteer committee who helped produce this year’s event… Dermot, Jay, Peter, Dahn, Alden and Laurie, as well as our other group leaders Carrie, Nancy, Adam, Angela, Jim, and Mike.  (apologies to anyone I missed!)

I also want to thank biker and dee jay Dave Morey, host of the morning show on KFOG 104.5 San Francisco/97.7 San Jose, as well as his FOG-heads, for promoting the event and raising over $2100 which will be matched by Wal-Mart stores in Mountain View. 

The 4th Annual Ride for Life was presented by American Airlines, Ebillboards.com, KFOG 104.5 San Francisco/97.7 San Jose, the San Francisco Bay Guardian, SF Frontiers Newsmagazine, POZ, and Walgreens.  Additional sponsors include the Dolan Law Firm, the Edge, the Eagle Tavern, the Kilowatt, KineticShadows.com, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc and the Slant.  Sponsors have helped to underwrite costs with cash sponsorships, services and advertising space.   Many, many thanks to all of you!! 
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Shanti (www.shanti.org) and the Ride for Life are dedicated to building a community of motorcycle enthusiasts who love the ride and care about people facing the challenges of AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses. 

Shanti is a non-profit organization, so your contribution is tax deductible (Tax ID# ).  If you would like to support our efforts, your donation, big or small, can be sent to Shanti – Ride for Life, 730 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA  94109.  All checks should be made payable to Shanti.  I also suggest that you include your name and ‘Ride for Life’ in the memo line for easy reference.

We will begin planning for our 5th Annual Ride for Life soon, and will let you know when a date is chosen.  We will also be updating our website, including pictures from this year’s event. 

To sign up on our mailing list and to find out about future Ride for Life events, fill out the Registration form or send your name and address to dmartin.   If you are interested in volunteering or to obtain more information, feel free to contact Doren Martin at any time at or dmartin. 

Thanks again for all of your support. 

Keep riding,
Ron Perri
Coordinator for the 2000 Shanti Ride for Life

Shanti is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization (Tax ID ) dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, improving the well-being, and promoting the independence of people living with HIV / AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses and their caregivers.