ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MIBicyclists raise money for daughter of fallen Marine

Bicyclists raise money for daughter of fallen Marine

(09/15/11) - Twenty bicycles riders left Mt. Pleasant Thursday morning on a quest to raise money for a 7-month-old girl. Her father died in Afghanistan and the riders are determined that she won't be forgotten.

During the next few days, their thoughts will be on Danielle Matteoni, whose father, Marine sergeant Anthony Matteoni, died in service to his country.

"The day before he passed he found out he was having a baby girl," Ron Patti of the Willis Foundation explained.

For the sixth year, the Willis Foundation is sponsoring Warrior Ride, a bicycle trek to raise money for families of fallen soldiers.

"Being a Marine myself I think it's the least we can do to give back again to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice," Patti said.

It will be a four-day, 260-mile trip through the hills of western Michigan. It will take a lot of endurance.

"I thought it would be a great challenge to take this Warrior Ride and see if I can make the miles count. We have a bet in the office that we can all make it," said Allen Tans of Kalamazoo.

"The big picture is we have people over there that are fighting for our freedom. The least we can do is take four days, go out, try to raise some money for somebody that paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom," said Darrin Zehnpfennig an Oakland County sheriff's deputy.

Going on the Warrior Ride for the third time is Purple Heart recipient Andy Blackburn of Portage. "It just kind of bring chills up the back of any Marine when you get a chance to help those who have made the ultimate sacrifice," he said.

The fund raiser should ensure that Danielle won't have to worry how she'll pay for college.

"Right now we have raised a total of almost $50,000 in cash donations," Patti said.

The journey will take the bicyclists through Fremont, Holland and Paw Paw before they arrive in Battle Creek Sunday.