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Bull Falls Harley-Davidson of Wausau and the Wausau Fire Department raised $9,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) at its first-ever Cruisin’ for a Cause on Saturday, Aug. 15. The event was held at the dealership, located at 1570 County Road XX in Rothschild.

“The Muscular Dystrophy Association is an essential charity and COVID-19 has not stopped us,” said Murphy Maes, MDA Executive Director. “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of this community and their willingness to step up during these challenging times to help continue to move MDA's mission forward.”The event included a Scavenger Hunt Ride, music by local rock band The 3s & 7s, food from several different food trucks, and a variety of raffles and games. Members of the Wausau Fire Department sold beverages and put out boots for their “Fill the Boot” campaign.

Money was also raised for MDA through pledges, with Roxanne Nordbeck being the top pledge collector.

“The entire community came through to make this event successful,” said Dixie Kinnard, Bull Falls Harley-Davidson co-owner and event organizer. “We received donations from numerous businesses and individuals, and many people helped volunteer at the event. To see this kind of support is very heartening.”

Maes said proceeds will help local families throughout Central Wisconsin who are battling Muscular Dystrophy and ALS. “With this donation, we will honor our current research commitments and plan for new initiatives for the remainder of the year,” she said. “In addition, we will offer local access to our Care Centers in Wisconsin, and of course, preparing for MDA Summer Camp in 2021 for over 120 children living with neuromuscular disease.” People should visit www.mda.org for more information.

Sponsors of the event included NRG Media, Muzynoski Masonry, Rack Industrial, Buska Retirement Solutions & Wealth Management, Delta Dental, Fabiano Brothers, Midwest Communications, and Waukesha Bearings. The Bull Falls Harley Owners Group (HOG) Chapter also assisted with the event.

For more information, visit www.bullfallshd.com, call 715-355-4464, or stop by the dealership, which is open Tuesdays through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Age has no limit when it comes to riding.

Bull Falls customer Holly Corso-Fons learned this when she teamed up with a few friends to help make her 99-year-old grandfather’s dream getting back on a Harley-Davidson a reality this summer.

“My Grandpa Tony and I have something in common that we love the freedom we feel when we are on the open road,” said Holly. “He used to own and ride a Springer Harley-Davidson in his younger years and to this day he loves talking about how he rode his bike every day to Kenosha to work and how much he loved riding overall.”

As the only one in her family who now rides, Holly became determined to surprise Grandpa Tony on his 99th birthday this past August by taking him on a ride. She called a friend, Steve Johnson, who owns a bike with a sidecar. While he was busy that day, he told Holly she could use his bike. “I truly felt honored at that moment when he said he trusted me to that degree, especially knowing I have never driven a sidecar in my life.”

On the day of the ride, two of Holly’s friends met her at the assisted living facility where her grandpa resides to help. One friend came along to escort them and the other came to take photos. After knocking on Grandpa Tony’s door, Holly revealed the surprise. “I got something cool waiting for you,” she said. “Do you want to go for a ride to the casino? I have a motorcycle outside for you. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It was truly priceless.”

After being taken by wheelchair to the motorcycle, old habits came quickly back to Grandpa Tony. “Once I put his help on and put the helmet down, he knew exactly what to do,” she said. “He made himself comfortable and away we went for a nice ride to the casino. We had a beautiful ride and sharing the road with him was truly one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had.”

Holly said Grandpa Tony can’t wait to do it again when he is 100. “It’s amazing that you truly never forget that feeling that you get when you are on the bike even at 99 years of age,” she said. Click here to see video footage of Grandpa Tony's ride.