CARIBOU, Maine — A community motorcycle ride and donation drive will provide coats to elementary school students in need just as the weather starts turning colder.
The RNHD Coats for Kids Cruise 2025, hosted by Ride North Harley-Davidson of Caribou, is slated for Saturday, Oct. 4.
All proceeds will go toward the purchase of new winter gear for students at the Woodland Consolidated School and Washburn District Elementary School. The company is working with principals and school staff to make sure every child has a warm coat, marketing coordinator Andrew Bard said.
Formerly Plourde & Plourde, the company has been planning to reinstitute the annual drive since January, Bard said. The event means a lot to him personally because he recalls times growing up in southern Maine when money was scarce.
“In this area there are really great local charities to help people, like food banks and more,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of the community coming together to support each other, and I also know kids are in need of winter wear.”
Store staff selected Washburn and Woodland largely because they are smaller school districts that include several local communities, Bard said.
He credited General Manager Josh Murchie of Littleton with reinstituting the annual event. Murchie is passionate about giving back to the community and creating opportunities for local kids, Bard said.
While at the Linneus Parks and Recreation Department, Murchie spearheaded community events such as the town’s popular annual Haunted Hayride. He also taught auto collision repair at the Region Two School of Applied Technology in Houlton.
Murchie took over as general manager at Ride North in January.
“It’s exciting to see the community come together for such a meaningful cause, and my hope is that by sharing this ride, more people will step up to help make this winter a little more comfortable for kids in need,” Murchie said.
The community can help by donating new or gently used coats of all sizes. Donations can be dropped off at the store anytime or on the day of the ride. Staff will deliver the donations to the schools.
Registration for the ride is $10 per person.
On the day of the ride, participants will assemble at the dealership around 9 a.m., taking off at 9:30 a.m. for a two-hour loop to the Four Corners Park in Madawaska, around Long Lake and back to the store.
A free community barbecue will follow, Bard said.
For details, visit the Coats for Kids Cruise page on Facebook or contact the dealership.
