If you#8217;re a regular reader of Women Riders Now, you#8217;re familiar with our sparkly contributor Diva Amy, who writes our #8220;Blingin#8217; With Diva Amy#8221; column. Last year, Amy and some friends formed the Diamond Posse, a riding group that raises money for charities. For 2011, the Diamond Posse is partnering with Dogs For Deaf and Disabled Americans (NEADS) and their Canines for Combat Veterans Program, a nonprofit organization that trains service dogs for disabled veterans and others in need.
Rachel Lingle and her dog, Chance, are NEADS representatives who hooked up with the Diamond Posse at Arizona Bike Week in early April to launch their new partnership. Rachel has Multiple Sclerosis and received Chance through NEADS to help her with everyday tasks.
The Diamond Posse hopes to raise enough money to donate a service dog to veteran in need of assistance. It costs $20,000 to train a dog to act as a companion for a disabled person, so the group#8217;s goal is to raise $20,000. They plan to do charity events, including their 2011 ride starting on September 11. Riders are invited to join the Diamond Posse as they head out from four different cities#8212;Milwaukee, Wis.; Park City, Utah; Dallas, Texas; and Boston, Mass.#8212;and head for Gail#8217;s Harley-Davidson in Kansas City, Mo., to participate in the dealership#8217;s September 11 Tribute Rally.
Chance is a black lab able to pick things off the floor for Rachel, hand her the phone, and perform other simple tasks she can no longer do as a result of having MS.
NEADS was established in 1976 and has trained more than 1,300 assistance dogs. Visit NEADS.org for more info.
The women will arrive in four separate waves on Saturday, Sept. 10, with each group saying thank you for the privilege of riding free. Riders can sign up to ride with the Diamond Posse as a #8220;crew member#8221; and donate to their cause at DiamondPosse.us.
Diamond Posse riders, from left, standing: Cat Hammes, guest rider for 2011; Betsy Lister; Diva Amy Skaling; and Vicki Sanfelipo. Rachel and Chance joined them for this photo taken at Diva Amy’s booth at Arizona Bike Week, where the new partnership was launched.
To read the history behind the Diamond Posse and how Diva Amy realized a dream come true in riding for a cause, read her latest column here.
Can’t thank you gals enough for all you’re doing. Can’t thank veterans enough for all they do for all of us. Your efforts and stories are inspiring and so generous! Thank you all again.
Can’t thank you gals enough for all you’re doing. Can’t thank veterans enough for all they do for all of us. Your efforts and stories are inspiring and so generous! Thank you all again.
Proud of these ladies!
Love it. Diamond Posse’s women are passionate about giving back to our veterans!