Riding the Top Gun Runway
Full Throttle Magazine
June 2005 Edition
Story By Randy Snyder

Top Gun is no longer just about fighter jets streaking across the skies. It's now about hundreds of motorcycles roaring down a runway. Of course, it's more about raising money for a great cause, but getting cut loose to streak down a runway sure made that a lot of fun.

The 2005 Top Gun Ride for Children reached for the skies in the amount of riders participating and in the amount of money raised. 100% of the money raised went directly to The Center for Children and Young Adults and the Navy and Marine Corp Relief Society. 23 counties in the Atlanta area depend on the Center for Children and Young Adults to provide temporary emergency shelter for abused and abandoned children and youth. The Navy and Marine Corp Relief Society assist active and retired Navy and Marine families in time of need. The society provides loans, grants, budget counseling and other programs to families left behind when a loved one is deployed.

The effort to help both of these causes began at 2PM at the Kennesaw (GA) Hooters. Several vendors and a host of volunteers greeted the bikers as they gathered in the huge parking lot for the start of the ride. The Kimmer from 640AM WGST and Channel 2's Jocelyn Dorsey led the herd of 372 motorcycles from the parking lot. Helping to lead the way, high overhead, was a helicopter making this the only ride we've heard of to be escorted by a helicopter. As the ride meandered around Kennesaw Mountain and the back roads of Cobb County, the helicopter kept swooping down in front of the procession. As the group pulled onto the runway of NAS Atlanta/Dobbins, the Commander gave the signal to cut 'em loose. Motorcycles fanned out across the enormous pad and cranked it full throttle the full length of the runway. It was amazing to think that the President's Air Force One, fighter jets and the gigantic C5A have used the same runway.

Rows of tables lined the front of the hanger. The spread of food was amazing and the most unique of any other ride. Instead of receiving one fixed menu, there was a choice items offered by Jocks n' Jills, O'Charlies, Marietta Conference Center & Resort, Renaissance Pine Isle, Renaissance Waverly and Williamson Brothers BBQ. Can't go without mentioning the delicious dessert of Kenny's Key Lime Pies.

Arriving at the hanger, the party shifted into high gear with the Dave Craver Band, raffle sales and the silent auction. There was a pause in the action with a very emotional POW/MIA ceremony honoring all branches of the military.

Big John Robertson from Killer Creek H.O.G. went the extra mile in raising additional money for the kids. Raffle tickets were sold for the honor of cutting off the ponytail that he's had for over twenty years. Once the ponytail was cut, the next ticket holder shaved his head and then finally his beard and mustache hit the floor. Not only did John raise an extra $1700 for this event from the raffle and other donations, he donated his hair to "Locks of Love" that provides wigs to kids that have lost their hair due to cancer.

Even more astonishing than John's sacrifice was the move made by 13-year-old Kyle Clark. He suddenly made the decision to do the same thing and took cash handouts at the stage. He sat with a huge smile across his face as the clippers sheared away his locks.

The Top Gun Ride is a very unique annual event with the runway ride, hanger party and a helicopter escort setting it apart from all the rest. With the help of sponsors Georgia Power, Hooters, Earl Small's H-D, Killer Creek H-D and Full Throttle, it was an amazing ride that generated over $30,000 for two great organizations. Plans are already underway for the 2006 ride. Mark your calendars now to be a part of the Top Gun experience.

Top Gun Ride to Dobbins will benefit nonprofit organizations
Marietta Daily Journal
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Story By Lana Drucker

Riders, rev up your engines.

The third annual Top Gun Ride, benefiting the Navy & Marine Corps Relief Society and The Center for Children for Children and Young Adults, will take place on Saturday, April 16.

The escorted motorcycle ride will begin in Kennesaw, travel through Cobb County, and end at the Naval Air Station, Atlanta/Dobbins Air Base and roll onto the runway ramp ending at the VR46 Squadron Hangar.

For three years, the organizations have partnered together to offer bikers a chance to ride onto a military base. All proceeds from the ride benefit the relief society and center.

"The center has partnered with the Naval Air Station for eight years for a Top Gun Hangar Dance and Dinner," said Sherri Roberson with The Center for Children and Young Adults.

"Adding the ride was a unique way to offer bikers the chance to ride on to a military base."

Those who don't don helmets are invited to participate in the dance, dinner, silent auction and raffle. The evening's entertainment will be provided by The David Craver band.

Since holding the first Top Gun Ride, the event has continued to grow.

Less than 30 bikers made the ride the first year. Last year, more than 200 bikers registered, with many of the bikes holding two passengers. This year, more than 500 bikes are expected to take the ride.

"We have several committees that work on this event," continued Ms. Roberson. "They go to bike clubs across metro Atlanta to speak. There is a lot of effort that goes into getting the word out about the event and letting the bike community know about it."

Mike Worley, chairman of the fund-raiser, will be out on Saturday, riding his Harley-Davidson Road King.

"I have been riding for quite some time," said Worley. "And I have been involved with the Children's Center, serving on the board of directors and as a past chair. We are expecting a really big crowd this year and are really excited about it."

The Center for Children and Young Adults is a nonprofit organization that runs two temporary shelters for abused and neglected youth and another program that is designed for older adolescents who have been involved in foster care or the juvenile justice system. Relying on fundraisers as a source of revenue, functions such as the annual Top Gun Ride are an important resource for funding for the center.

"Each rider will pay $30 (to participate) or give us $25 and a $5 gift certificate to Target of McDonalds," said Worley.

"With the gift certificates we can take the kids to McDonalds to eat or to Target so they can purchase clothes or other necessities," he said.

The Center will receive two-thirds of the portions proceeds and Navy & Marine Corps Relief will receive the other one-third, according to Ms. Roberson.

Registration forms for the ride can be down-loaded at www.topgunrideatlanta.com.

Due to base security at Dobbins, all riders must be registered prior to departing (valid drivers license, proof of insurance and bike registration are required).

For those wishing to attend the dinner and dance and who do not wish to participate in the ride, tickets must be purchased in advance. Access to the base is restricted without a ticket.

2008 Top Gun Ride for Children

What began six years ago as a ride with less than 50 bikes, has grown into an event that attracts hundreds of bikers each year and that has generated more than $100,000 for abused and neglected children and youth and the men and women serving in the military.

The 6th Annual Top Gun Ride for Children is set for Saturday, April 19. Registration begins at Noon in the parking lot of the Kennesaw Hooters location and ends promptly at 4:00 p.m.

The escorted ride travels through scenic west Cobb, ventures back to Kennesaw and ends at McCollum Air Field at the Flight Works hangar for food and fun.

The Top Gun Ride for Children continues to boasts one of the best menus for participants to enjoy. Already committed for this year are Zucca’s, Atkins Park Tavern and Kenny’s Great Pies.

The Center for Children & Young Adults serves as the host organization and primary beneficiary for the event. Also receiving funds from the ride is the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation (GNGFSF). The Center operates long-term care programs for abused, neglected and abandoned children and youth. Boys and girls who have no one that can or will care for them have all of their needs met while at The Center. The agency provides: food, clothing, shelter, medical attention, educational assistance, recreational activities and coordination of therapeutic services with licensed clinicians for each child. The Center receives a per diem from the state of $101 while the actual cost of care per day per child is over $200. Funds generated from the Top Gun Ride for Children are essential in filling in this gap.

The GNGFSF provides assistance to the families of Georgia's guardsmen, our State's reservists and qualifying active duty service members that live here in Georgia. Each day they are reaching out to men and women who are returning home to no job and mounting family bills. The Foundation also seek to provided much needed aid to families left behind while their loved one is deployed.

Participation in the Top Gun Ride for Children is $30 per person. Children 12 and under are $10. Pre-registration is available and encouraged. All riders must be registered prior to departing Hooters. Valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and bike registration are required.

Last update on March 4, 2008 by Sherri Roberson

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