Bikers For Backpacks

08/06/2026

LESS THAN 24 HOURS!!!

NO SHIRTS AFTER NOON TOMORROW!!!

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/bikers-for-backpacks--2026

08/04/2026

Can’t make the ride on 23 August? No problem—these official drop‑off spots are ready for you:
Wieblers Harley‑Davidson, 623 N Main St, Kewanee, IL
Premier Construction, 419 W Railroad St, Sheffield, IL
Community State Bank, 120 W Commercial St, Neponset, IL
Sights Ink, 135 E Main St, Wyanet, IL
Please check their business hours, and know that each location truly appreciates any donation—big or small—to support the Neponset and Wyanet school kids.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

08/03/2026

FREE T‑SHIRTS END AT NOON FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 or when 50 people register—whichever happens first.
And no, there will NOT be shirts for sale on ride day.
On Sunday, August 23, someone will ask, “Can I get a t‑shirt?”
My answer: YES… next year. https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/bikers-for-backpacks--2026

07/31/2026

“If you don’t live for something, you will die for nothing.”
— Cpl. Bryant J. (BJ) Luxmore, U.S. Army, KIA 10 June 2012

The day started with a stop at Sheffield Hardware to see Alex Schmidt, the owner. He had some coffee he wanted to donate to the Bikers for Backpacks event in August. What I didn’t know at the time was that his coffee wasn’t just coffee. It was “what‑if” coffee.
“What if” 1983 or 1984 had gone differently for me?
“What if” I had come home in one of the 273 flag‑draped Beirut coffins in 1983?
Or in one of the 8 advisory coffins from Central America in 1984?

Take your age right now and erase the last 43 years.
Most of you would say, “I wasn’t even born.”
Exactly.
In that version of my life, there is no wife.
No daughter.
No grandson.
No career as a professional firefighter.
No service to others, no lives touched.
Just a name on a list and a folded flag handed to my mother and father.
But that didn’t happen.
I got to come home.
I got to live the years that others never had the chance to.
And that’s why days like today — a simple visit, a donation of coffee, a community event — matter more than they seem. They’re part of the life I was lucky enough to keep living.
Tomorrow is the 12th Annual Bryant J Luxmore Gold Outing - bjlm.us
Schmedic coffee is at www.schmedicpremiumcoffee.com

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18xYhxuFR7/

Schmedic Premium Coffee

07/26/2026

🎒📚 FREE T‑SHIRTS for a great cause!
Think we can’t give these T‑shirts away? Oh, we definitely can.
All you need to do:
➡️ Pre‑register
➡️ Bring a backpack + 3 or more school supplies to donate
➡️ Check in and pick up your shirt

This offer is limited to the first 50 pre‑registrations, so don’t wait. Let’s help local students start the year strong.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/bikers-for-backpacks--2026

07/16/2026

We’ll be in the Bureau and Kewanee School District area seeking sponsors and auction items. Any leads would be appreciated.

07/15/2026

07/06/2026

Bikers For Backpacks 2026

ENTRY FEE IS BACKPACK and at least 3 SCHOOL SUPPLIES

REGISTER HERE - https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/bikers-for-backpacks--2026

Join us for a leisurely 98.5‑mile fun run—motorcycles, jeeps, and all vehicles welcome—to support Neponset and Wyanett Elementary Schools. Together, we’ll gather backpacks and school supplies for students in our community.

We’ll kick things off at Wieblers Harley‑Davidson, where participants will check in and drop off their backpacks along with three school supplies as their registration donation. From there, it’s a ride‑at‑your‑own‑pace adventure with stops at:

Catalpa Grove – Toulon, IL

The Pub – Henry, IL

Softails – Ladd, IL

After Ladd, we’ll cruise down Route 6 to the world‑famous Psycho Silo, where the fun continues with trophy presentations for our dart and social media contests, plus all raffle prize drawings.

As a bonus, thanks to Wieblers Harley‑Davidson in Kewaunee, the first 50 registered riders will receive a free Bikers for Backpacks T‑shirt.

ENTRY FEE IS BACKPACK and at least 3 SCHOOL SUPPLIES

REGISTER HERE - https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/bikers-for-backpacks--2026

06/22/2026

SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2026
Tune back in - Registration starts Monday, 6 July 2026

Join us for a leisurely 98.5‑mile fun run—motorcycles, jeeps, and all vehicles welcome—to support Neponset and Wyanett Elementary Schools. Together, we’ll gather backpacks and school supplies for students in our community.

We’ll kick things off at Wieblers Harley‑Davidson, where participants will check in and drop off their backpacks along with three school supplies as their registration donation. From there, it’s a ride‑at‑your‑own‑pace adventure with stops at:

Catalpa Grove – Toulon, IL

The Pub – Henry, IL

Softails – Ladd, IL

After Ladd, we’ll cruise down Route 6 to the world‑famous Psycho Silo, where the fun continues with trophy presentations for our dart and social media contests, plus all raffle prize drawings.

As a bonus, thanks to Wieblers Harley‑Davidson in Kewaunee, the first 50 registered riders will receive a free Bikers for Backpacks T‑shirt.