02/02/2026
Meet our Volunteers
My name is Alison Conway. I have known Lisa Sjurseth my entire life as she is my older sister. I met Ted in December 1981. I knew about the foundation from the very beginning.
As I recall, my first position with the foundation was as a babysitter for the Founder’s daughters. After September 11, 2001, Lisa and Ted knew that they needed to do something, and not quite sure what they could do or needed to do; they would just figure it out as they went along. One Saturday evening at family dinner I was asked to babysit because they were going to go to NYC to see what they could do to help. They left on Friday October 5, 2001 and when they came home that Sunday that is when the ball was really set in motion for Ted and Lisa to bring people up to Manhattan.
Over the years I have helped read scholarship essays, put ride booklets together, proofread the website and help at events and CFC shows with Roger. In 2011, I worked in the Foundation office answering phones, sending out merchandise, printing flyers and running errands. One of my duties was gathering the information for the cards that we gave to each rider on the 10th Anniversary of someone who perished that day. I was putting the information and pictures together I had a very profound realization that these victims all had families, friends, people who loved them and it was that moment I had the desire to learn something about everyone from Gordon Aamoth, Jr to Igor Zukelman. I felt I had lost 2977 friends that day.
I moved up to Executive Board Secretary in 2015.
As Secretary I document all of our meetings. I read the final essays and help grade them since 2004 to present. I go to dealerships and clubs to promote the ride and the foundation. I have gone to Fire Departments/Stations and Police Departments to talk about the ride and the scholarship Program. I have also gone to schools to discuss the Scholarships with guidance counselors. I also do Patriot Guard Missions and help volunteer with Wreaths Across America. In 2010 I had the honor of placing wreaths at the Pentagon for the 184 that perished there and We laid 40 wreaths at Flight 93. I read their names in the ceremony along with Roger Flick. I am also a Member of the American Legion in my town.
As a health care professional for 40 years, I believe in the service to others. I fully support our First Responders; Police, Fire and EMS. Our Ride is a rolling memorial to those who died that day and to me it is so touching to experience the people who come out to thank us for never forgetting. However, I say thank you to them because they want to remember and honor them as well.
On 9/11/2001 I was nurse manager for a very busy Pediatric Office. We were in huddle
(report) when the planes went into the World Trade Centers. We turned our radios up and
listened as events were taking place. We were preparing vaccines for a 4 month old when
Flight 77 went into the Pentagon. The mother holding this little boy turned very pale and started to collapse to the floor, we were able to get her safely to the floor and I held her son
as we attended to her she began to sob; stating if it was not for his appointment she would possibly be dead as she worked on the western side of the Pentagon. I remember them prepping us for casualties but they never came. Our hospital was barricaded and we were on lock down. Living near 3 major airports Dulles, Washington National and Baltimore Washington Airport. When the planes were all grounded there was not a sound. It was eerily quiet when our shift was over. The fear was palpable. As we went home we were all glued to out television sets. We hugged our families longer and tighter. On September 12, 2001 we all woke up and came together as one great country. We were kinder, nicer, more patient people then.
I am a nomad. Lynchburg, SC is where I call home now. I lived in Virginia for 29 years and
was born in CT and moved out in 1985 and back there 2013 to 2023..
We are all one big family here. I have so many friends that come back year after year and we pick up like there was not a years time between our visits. And for the new folks on our
ride.. You are friends I have not met yet. I feel great joy in giving back to my community and helping our First Responders
