If you heard a rumble through downtown Orlando this afternoon, it wasn’t a midafternoon storm. It was hundreds of bikers driving through town in support of the One Orlando fund.
- Hundreds of motorcycles participated
- The event was held to raise money for Pulse victims
- Orlando Harley Davidson hosted the event
Shonda Hoffman and her partner Alex Rendell watched as bikers drove by the memorial at Pulse showing support for the victims and their families.
They say this tribute was especially touching for them. One of their friends was shot during the Pulse attack. He survived, but the shooting is still fresh in their minds.
“He may be doing physically well, but the emotional pain is going to take a lot to get over, I’m sure. We weren’t even there and it’s emotional still,” Hoffman said.
The Hogs for Hope event, hosted by Harley Davidson in Orlando, says over 500 bikers entered in today’s ride and all of their entry fees will go to the victims and their families.
“The riding community has always been behind causes," said Harley Davidson owner Anne Dell. "This cause is a special one. I don’t think there is anything that has changed and unified our community like the Pulse attacks.”
Though time has passed since the tragedy at Pulse, Shonda and Alex agree holding events like this continues to help the community heal.
“I was home, going through all this and watching all this happen and it just felt so isolated, so when we came to the last event it just felt so good to be around positive people,” Hoffman said.
Harley Davidson hopes to raise more than $20,000 for the victims and their families. The company says it will also donate $500 from every sale made today.