Charity Ride Organizing -- How To?

[triangleforge]

Last Friday, my sister emerged from successful surgery (at least, all the early indications are good) after a recurrence of the breast cancer we all thought was seven years in the past. She's going to be starting chemo very shortly, and her attitude is very good. All in all, our family is very optimistic, and mom & dad are both there for her, which makes things a lot easier.

One of the things I'd like to do, in addition to helping her as much as I can long distance (she's in Oregon, I'm in Arizona) and in person, is raise money for causes that will help women facing breast cancer. I went looking online and in the event calendar in Thunder Press (a free monthly Harley/American cruiser magazine with a huge Western events calendar) and found only one run in early August, many hours away in central California.

Since I've directed similar events successfully (big regional bicycle road races, FWIW, and by successful I mean "in the black" and "nobody got hurt") I'm starting to think that instead of complaining, I'm going to look into what it would take to put on an event here in Northern Arizona. I know these charity runs are more of a Harley thing (and I'll admit I've never done one), but I thought I'd start with the community I know and see if anyone would be willing & able to share their experience putting on an all-makes welcome benefit run. Mostly, do they REALLY make money for the designated charity, and if so, how to maximize that? Lots more detailled questions, obviously, but I'd be happy to take it offline if there's someone willing to do a bit of mentoring.

And sorry in advance for the cross-post; I'm also checking with the AZDRA Monster board to find out if I'm missing some existing event.

[bigiain]

thought I'd start with the community I know and see if anyone would be willing & able to share their experience putting on an all-makes welcome benefit run. Mostly, do they REALLY make money for the designated charity, and if so, how to maximize that? Lots more detailled questions, obviously, but I'd be happy to take it offline if there's someone willing to do a bit of mentoring.

I've never orgainsied a charity rides myself, but I've attended a few of these:

http://www.pinkribbonride.com/

I'll bet there's someone there who'd be happy to answer any questions and offer advice...

big (always happy to support boobies!)