‘Ride for Anna’ raises more than $1,500

Published 7:47 pm Monday, July 19, 2010

In2 Wireless/Verizon Wireless and the River City Bike Association teamed up to help raise funds for Anna-Coleman Yelverton, an 8-year-old girl who was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancerous soft-tissue tumor that is found most often in children.

The fund-raiser was held on Saturday in the parking lot of Marengo Square, where the Verizon business is located. Motorcycle riders took a ride in Anna-Coleman’s honor at 11:15 a.m., getting a wave from Anna-Coleman as they rode past her grandmother’s house.

Riders paid $10 registration, and raffles, refreshments, T-shirt sales and other donations helped to raise $1,570 to help Anna-Coleman’s family with her medical costs.

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“One person who wanted to remain anonymous made a big donation and wired it right into her account,” said Tara Dockery, who helped to organize the event.

Some 43 motorcycles took part in the ride to help raise awareness as well as funding for Anna-Coleman.

“There are still some T-shirts available if anyone wants to buy them,” Dockery said.

The idea for the fund-raiser began with Verizon store manager Jimmy Reynolds and general manager Lara Wadsworth. Another Verizon employee contacted the River City Bike Association, and the fund-raiser was under way.

“We want to thank every one of the sponsors for this event,” Dockery said.

“Thanks to them and to anyone who gave donations or who was associated with this event in any way.”

Anna-Coleman had her fifth surgery last week to replace her feeding tube. She has been treated at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, but is also able to come home for visits periodically.

A special account has been set up at Robertson Banking Company where anyone can make a donation to help with Anna-Coleman’s medical costs.

Anna-Coleman is the daughter of Jennifer Thomason, an employee at Robertson Banking Company.