Attendance, Dollars Down for Charity Ride

Though the weather was perfect, the annual saw a significant decline in participation this year, which led to less money raised for charities.

Trenton Fire Chief Bruce Vick said this year's event was one of the worst yet, in terms of riders and fundraising.

There were about 263 riders this year and the event raised about $6,500 to $7,000, and the numbers both pale in comparison with events gone by. Vick said the most money ever raised at an Andy Ross ride was close to $25,000.

In 2005, nearly 800 riders showed up on their motorcycles at and raised about $25,000 for Trenton charities.

Vick said exclusivity, or lack thereof, has become the greatest enemy to the event.

"When we started we were one of the few rides anywhere and now there's one just about everywhere in the state," Vick said.

He added that the economy also played a role in the lack of fundraising.

"People are hurting," Vick said.

Though the money raised this year is a far cry from that of 2005, Vick said the ride did not cripple the fire department's ability to help the needy.

"We are going to be able to give away as much as we can," Vick said. "We are going to support as many groups as we can."

The money will go into a general charities fund, and the fire department will use it as needed.

Vick said there are more fundraisers to come and he hopes more people will participate, so they can help the most people possible.

The Andy Ross Charity Motorcycle Ride took place last Saturday at Elizabeth Park.

The ride was created in honor of Andy Ross, a former Trenton firefighter who lost his life in a motorcycle crash.