Benefit ride Saturday for Ragan family

A benefit ride to raise money for the family of Donnie Ragan, who died as the result of a motorcycle wreck last month, is scheduled for noon Saturday.

A caravan of motorcycles and cars will assemble at shortly before 1 p.m. at Rusty's Sports Bar and Grill, 16 N. National Ave., and around 1 p.m. will ride north to Mound City, La Cygne, back to Mound City, Fulton and to Evergreen Cemetery, where Ragan is buried. The group will then meet at Tom McNeil's residence (address to be given at that time) in Fort Scott for a chili supper along with recreational games, Ragan's best friend, Jason Findley, said.

There is a $20 fee for each participating vehicle, and drawings will be conducted to give away gift certificates from 22 area businesses, including the Harley-Davidson store in Joplin, Mo., Findley said.

Ragan died Sept. 12 when he lost control of a 2004 Suzuki motorcycle while maneuvering the bike only on its back wheel as he approached the intersection of Third Street and Broadway. The motorcycle bounced off of two vehicles on the side of Broadway and Ragan slammed into a nearby parked car, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol report.

Findley said he hopes the event will raise $1,000 by having at least 50-75 vehicles involved in the road trip. Currently, 30 riders are scheduled to attend, mostly comprised of Ragan's family and friends. Findley said a couple of area motorcycle groups have said they'll attend the event.

The money will go to Ragan's family to cover funeral costs, which come to around $7,000, and other costs the family faces. Also, the money generated will go toward a college fund established for Ragan's daughters, Mackenzie Jade and Samantha Renee, Findley said.

"We've all rode since we were kids," Findley said. "He (Donnie) loved riding. I think if you had to pick a way to go out, you would choose something you loved doing."