Nick Genet’s looking for motorcyclists from Kent and beyond on Sept. 12 to help him raise money. Genet wants to help a 4-year-old California boy as he recovers from an attack by his father, who ate the boy’s eyes out.
Genet read a story on the Kent Reporter Web site last month about Kent resident Bonnie Bingham, and her efforts to raise money with a car wash for Angelo Mendoza, of Bakersfield. Genet, who works with Bingham at Boeing in Renton, decided he wanted to help out as well.
“It just seemed like the right thing to do,” Genet said. “That was a horrific story.”
Genet rides motorcycles so he decided to organize a motorcycle ride on the Kitsap Peninsula and Vashon Island.
Riders will meet at 9 a.m. Sept. 12 at the Seattle main ferry terminal downtown to depart on the 9:35 a.m. Bainbridge ferry. The ride will go to Port Gamble for a short break, then turn south to the Port Orchard/Vashon ferry. Once on Vashon, the ride ends at Vashon Island Eagles Lodge for a benefit barbecue at 1 p.m. Food and pop will be provided.
Donations starting at $10 are requested at the barbecue.
Riders can sign up for the event by e-mailing Genet at nickandnorasride@gmail.com. He will take sign-ups until Sept. 11. For more information, go to www.nickandnorasride.webs.com.
“I ride motorcycles, I have friends who ride and I like barbecues,” Genet said of the fundraiser. “I’ve done volunteer work with the Red Cross, but this is something different I felt compelled to do.”
Bingham raised more than $3,300 at her July 18 car wash at the Eastridge Baptist Church on the East Hill. She heard about the April 24 attack against Mendoza and decided she wanted to do something to help the boy.
Mendoza survived the attack, although he has lost his left eye and has limited vision in his right eye, according to The Bakersfield Californian newspaper Web site, www.bakersfield.com. The state of California has picked up some of the medical costs for surgery and counseling for the child, but not all of them. He is living in a foster home.
For more information about Mendoza or to donate money, go to www.imforeverchanged.com, www.babyangel.moonfruit.com or visit any Wells Fargo bank and ask about the Baby Angel fund.
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