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THOMPSONTOWN -- Members of the Thompsontown Volunteer Fire Co. No. 8 and Ambulance Association were saddened by the death of beloved member and friend Charles "Charlie" Walton in June 2020.
"Charlie did amazing things with fundraising for the fire company and ambulance association," said Carolyn Dymond, treasurer for the Thomastown Volunteer Fire Co, of Walton, a longtime member of the fire company and ambulance association.
"He was probably one of our biggest fundraisers that we had," she added. "When he passed away, it left a big void. We were like, 'How are we going to make that up?'"
Fire company and ambulance association members decided the best way to honor their late friend was to hold a fundraiser in his honor. They created the Charlie Walton Memorial First Responders Ride, a two and a half-hour picturesque ride through Mifflin, Juniata and Perry counties.
The fifth annual event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29, starting at 12 p.m. Registration starts at 11 a.m. at the Thompsontown Volunteer Fire Co. Station, located at 55 State St., Thompsontown.
Fire company president John Dymond and assistant fire chief Joe Weyrich are both avid riders. The two men set up the course, which follows the "nice, scenic curves" of the Juniata Valley, Carolyn Dymond said, "which makes it nice to have an event like this.
"We started this a couple of years ago," she added. "It's great because the memorial ride for Charlie can remember him and raise funds at the same time."
The late Jerry Leach, past president of the fire company, came up with the idea for the inaugural ride.
The entry fee is $20 per bike and rider, with each additional passenger at $10.
Lunch will be provided after the ride at the Thompsontown Volunteer Fire Co. Station.
For more information, call (717) 348-6394 or (717) 319-2702, or find them on Facebook.