With the rain just coming to an end last Saturday, over 80 motorcyclists jumped on their bikes to begin Three of a Kind’s annual bike run and fundraiser.

 

Three of a Kind is a nonprofit organization that was started by Shawn Thomas after three of his friends, Matt Steffens, Jeff Colbenson and Brett Johnson, each passed away unexpectedly. The organization sponsors a motorcycle ride each year to raise money in their memory.

 

The night before the bike run, organizers hosted a low-key family and friend night that included a bean bag tournament with a record 34 players competed for the chance to be named champion. The Clearwater Sons of the American Legion were also on hand grilling burgers and brats.

 

Heading out from Clearwater Corners, the first stop on Saturday’s bike run was Trappers in Farming, followed by stops at Triple R in Kimball and the Maple Lake Legion before heading back to Clearwater and the Silver Bullet Saddle Club rodeo grounds to enjoy pork chops and corn on the cob.

 

The afternoon’s family event included around 110 silent auction items as well as a live auction with great items such as a handmade Harley Davidson quilt and a garage floor from GTX Garage-Tech X-treme. All auction items were donated by businesses and individuals.

 

Raffle tickets were sold for the event’s grand prize, a Polaris Ranger Side-by-Side that was made available through a partnership between Three of a Kind and Mies Outland.

 

Two of this year’s three Monticello High School Three of a Kind Scholarship recipients attended the event to be recognized for their hard work and wished success in their future education, and Melany Butler from the Eagles Healing Nest spoke about her organization and thanked Three of a Kind for their continued support.

 

Quilts of Valor were presented to three area veterans, Michelle Mace, Steve Lytle and Doc Gohman, each of whom were recognized and thanked for their service.

 

The event concluded with an evening of music, with the band Outdoor Recess playing from 8 p.m. to midnight.

 

Corporate sponsors for this year’s event included Mies Outland, Maple Lake Legion Riders Post 131, Clearwater Lions, Clearwater Travel Plaza, Clearwater Legion Posts 323, Sons of the American Legion Post 323, Legion Auxiliary Post 323, Platinum Printing, King Solutions, Lawn Rangers, L.L.C., T.O. Plastics, Pohlarbear Express, Rod Winter Trucking and Flinstones Lounge and Bedrock Grill. The Silver Bullet Saddle Club hosted the day’s activities.

 

Three of a Kind organizers expressed thanks to their corporate sponsors and the community for their support.

 

The money raised from the fundraiser goes to a variety of local causes, which includes three scholarships for students planning on attending technical college after graduating Monticello High School, which is where Thomas’ friends had gone to school, and Eagle’s Healing Nest, a refuge for veterans who are looking for help to get their lives back together.

 

For more information on the organization, visit threeofakindbikeride.org.