Thank you for supporting the ride

To the editor:

The family of Shea Briar would like to thank you for the tremendous outpouring of love and support for our inaugural Shea M. Briar Memorial Ride held on July 31, 2021.

We had 75 bikes and seven cars register with stops at the Marion, Jonesboro, Fairmount and Muncie American Legions and raised close to $5,000. We couldn’t have done it without everyone that bought a t-shirt, donated and/or bought an item for the silent auction, registered to ride, made a monetary donation or donated their time.

We are already planning next year’s ride for July 30, 2022, and hope to see you there.

Special thanks to the Portland American Legion Post 211, American Legion Riders, Chuck Denney, Jeff and Terri Burk, Clifford and Diana Franks, Tim and Sheila Bray, Bob Smith, Rita Flick, Elvis Franks, Larry Nuckols and Christal Elizabeth, David Beitler, Waste Management, Display Craft, The Commercial Review, Rodney Miles and the Freedom Flyers, Todd Skirvin, Portland Best One, PG-14, VFW, The Portland Foundation, Jay County Antique Mall, Pizza King, Jay Beverage, Rollin’ Lanes, Strohl’s, Greazy Pickle, Circle K, Redkey Junktion, Everything’s Coming Up Roses, KBL Transport, US Aggregates, Salon Karma, Deer Park Boutique, Locker’s Gifts, Jamar, Upperkut Salon, Craven Nutrition, Grounds on the Fly, Hairway to Heaven, L.A. Pizza and Subs, Progressive Office Supplies, Renegades, The Cottage Shop, Sunkissed Tanning, Matt’s Garage, Delta Theta Tau Dunkirk Chapter, Albany Golf Club, Steve Schlechty, Dick and Loretta Corle, Portland Golf Club, Rustic Farmhouse, Amazing Joe’s, RJROX DJ, Triple H Guns, J&P Custom Plating, Walmart, Frito Lay, Ridgeville American Legion, Wabash Valley Golf Club, Hopkin’s Service, Chet and Amy Franks, Jonny Watkins, Bev and Don Sheller, Liza Lee, Kevin Dodd, Joe Bryan, Toney Pryor, Tim Manor, George McGinnis, Rodney Franks and Curt Franks, and last but not least, American Legion bartender Miss Shirley (don’t forget to tip your waitress/bartender). Our sincere apologies if we missed anyone.

The Shea M. Briar memorial fund is set up at The Portland Foundation, making it very easy to donate year round. Simply send a check to The Portland Foundation with Shea Briar in the memo or go to their website, click on donate now/donor marketplace and find Shea M. Briar memorial fund under donor advised funds.

The purpose of the fund is to help local charities, military charities, veterans and their families in Shea’s honor. We truly appreciate your help in keeping this fund going so we can continue to support as many people and organizations as possible. We’ve donated some items to Redkey Elementary School and hope to donate to them as needed throughout the year as well as to other area schools.

We’d also like to mention the American Legion gave a $1,000 scholarship to Mitchell Frasher from money raised during the Freedom Flyers second flag dedication (March 21) in honor of Shea.

Shea would’ve loved this so much and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Tracy Hoevel (Shea’s mom)

Sharon Taylor (Shea’s grandma)

Tiffany McLaughlin (Shea’s aunt)