SORI Motorcycle Run set for 20th year

Posted

Phil Viens remembers June 5, 1999, like it was a yesterday.

At the time, Viens, who is co-owner of Scituate Liquors, was a Johnston Police patrolman with a special dream.

So one day 20 years ago, Viens requested a meeting with his boss, Johnston Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini, and told him about his idea, which has since developed into one of the most successful fundraisers for Special Olympics Rhode Island.

This year’s SORI Motorcycle Run – which will be held on Saturday, June 1, beginning at 4 p.m. in the parking lot at 181 Putnam Pike in Johnston – has raised thousands of dollars to support the organization’s programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

“It’s my precious baby,” Viens said of the motorcycle run, which last year drew 500 motorcycles and raised more than $19,000. “We get lots of support from people, including police, firefighters and generous business owners who love helping our state’s Special Olympics athletes.”

So, in keeping with tradition, the chant will be “kickstands up” at approximately 7 p.m. Saturday, but not before what many call the “block party of the year” is held in the former Grieco Automotive Collision Center on Putnam Pike in Johnston.

“It’s a beautiful site,” Viens said of the pre-run festivities, which feature music and food. “We’ve got live music from the Run’n Wild band that has been donating its time for years; we’ve got the same DJ, Pop up Party, a.k.a. Dave Mollicone, and some great food, too.”

He added: “We’ll have plenty of calzones and pizza chips donated, as usual, by Don DePetrillo of The Original Italian Bakery and the same volunteers who’ll be cooking hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill.”

The party is free for riders, who pay a $30 registration fee and also receive a commemorative T-shirt. After taking off from Johnston, the run heads south with a large police escort and concludes at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, where SORI’s Summer Games will be held this weekend.

“If you’ve never seen the SORI Summer Games and are a motorcycle owner, please consider making our run,” Viens said. “It’s a beautiful, beautiful sight seeing all the athletes and their reaction to when the motorcycles actually arrive in the stadium.”

Once the motorcycles arrive Saturday, there will be what Vies described as a “fantastic laser show” and Glow-Stick Party, as well as a dance for all Special Olympians and their guests.

For more information about the run or to make a donation to SORI, call Viens at 829-0903 or Tracy Garabedian at 349-4900. 

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here