The Party promises to be greater than last year

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The Buffalo Chip, SD:
Last year, Bryan Carroll’s Why We Ride, MOTOvational.org and the legendary Sturgis Buffalo Chip played host to something never before done in 81 years of the famous Sturgis Black Hills Motorcycle Rally- they held a Wrap Party as the finale of the grand event in the hills. “Parting is such sweet sorrow” Shakespeare once wrote, and for the second year, the VIP Sturgis Rally Wrap Party will provide the “sweet’ to the “parting.” The limited seat event is a way to say, “until we meet again” and is aimed at motorcycle industry VIPs, brand leaders and all those who love life on two wheels. Date for the Wrap Party is set for Friday, August 12.

Once again benefitting the Treasured Lives Foundation, established to help end sex trafficking in South Dakota, Why We Ride and MOTOvational Inc. are partnering with them to open a crisis house for those rescued, and provide the means to a fresh start in life. The Sturgis Wrap Party will donate all proceeds to this cause, something many motorcyclists are very passionate about.

Last year’s Wrap Party: (L to R) “Why We Ride” director/producer Bryan Carroll, Treasured Lives founder and author Kelly Patterson, and Buffalo Chip owner/proprietor Larry Wendt with the enthusiastic, generous participants.

The work of putting on an event like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally every year is a massive endeavor for all involved, whether it be the overall city and event planners, the many vendors who provide their goods and services, and the thousands upon thousands of riders who travel the world over to come be a part of the yearly momentous rally. The Sturgis Rally Wrap Party is a way to not only support a critical regional cause, but a fantastic way to wind down the rally, reflect on the memories and friends made, and enjoy a relaxing evening before the inevitable tear-down, pack-up and roll-out for home.

According to Bryan Carroll, the luau-themed event will again feature a cocktail hour that kickstarts the program in the Buffalo Chip Event Center where guests will be surrounded by custom motorcycles as they enjoy a sit-down tropical island feast with delicious entrees and hand-selected side dishes. The night continues with a raffle, live auction and special guest speakers with 100% of the proceeds going to the Treasured Lives charity organization. The event is limited to only 250 guests with each receiving a custom Sturgis Rally Wrap Party luau shirt to commemorate the night.

The Sturgis Wrap Party will also again feature images from the Michael Lichter collection, with a donation of a signed book and prints as part of the auction. Los Angeles based artists are painting custom skateboard decks, with additional items such as two limited-edition “Why We Ride” Strider Balance Bikes, motorcycle helmets and apparel for the charity auction. Also on hand will be author Kelly Patterson of Treasured Lives who will be selling autographed copies of her book “From Trafficked to Treasured.”

Last year’s festivities in the Buffalo Chip Indoor Event Center.

The Sturgis Rally Wrap Party by MOTOvational.org and the Buffalo Chip are joining together to build the first crisis home, Treasured House, in South Dakota for survivors of sex trafficking. As there are no other temporary shelters dedicated to victims of sex trafficking in the state and surrounding area, victims are pushed into Domestic Violence shelters which are not equipped to deal with the complex trauma found in sex trafficking. In fact, DV shelters have been infiltrated at times by “recruiters” secretly inserted to prey on the victims even further. Without a safe place to stay, victims are at high risk for returning to their traffickers. It is critical for the well-being of victims of sex trafficking to interact with those who have come out of similar experiences. Often, victims have never met another survivor who has exited that life. The shared understanding of each other’s experiences is critical to the healing process.

Some of last year’s participants outside the Chip.

The objectives for the Treasured House are:
1) To provide a place of safety and hope, thus alleviating the need to return to victimization.
2) To assess strategic placement of victims to receive the best possible long-term care.
3) To begin the healing process.
4) To assist in understanding the factors that put some individuals at higher risk than others.

Ticket costs and amounts paid for all raffle and auction items will be considered a tax-deductible charitable donation, and with the attendance and the support of their sponsors, the event planners expect to continue the great tradition of bikers benefiting local communities and citizens.

Join the fun and cause this year!

If you would like to become a supporter by purchasing tickets or a table, please contact them at events@WhyWeRide.com
To learn about all the additional opportunities that are available to assist and/or participate, whether or not you can make it to Sturgis or the party this year, check out these links below without ever leaving this page:

Associated Links:

SturgisRallyWrapParty
TheTreasuredHouse
MOTOvational.org
WhyWeRide
TheBuffaloChip

*All photos by MOTOvational.org