{"id":1211,"date":"2017-09-20T13:38:11","date_gmt":"2017-09-20T17:38:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shorebeat.com\/tomsriver\/?p=1211"},"modified":"2017-09-20T13:38:11","modified_gmt":"2017-09-20T17:38:11","slug":"charity-motorcycle-ride-remembers-local-man-raises-funds-for-cancer-victims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shorebeat.com\/tomsriver\/2017\/09\/charity-motorcycle-ride-remembers-local-man-raises-funds-for-cancer-victims\/","title":{"rendered":"Charity Motorcycle Ride Remembers Local Man, Raises Funds for Cancer Victims"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Arthur

Arthur Szymanski<\/p><\/div>\n

Before Arthur Szymanski’s life was cut short by cancer in 2014, one of his favorite activities was to take his motorcycle for a ride from his hometown of Bayville through the pine barrens, and back.<\/p>\n

For the fourth year in a row, Szymanski’s family will honor his memory and raise funds for local groups that help families dealing with cancer and its aftermath with a charity motorcycle ride<\/a> along his favorite route, ending with an after-party and gift auction at the Captain’s Inn in Forked River this Sunday.<\/p>\n

“We didn\u2019t want people to forget my dad, and this was a good way to honor his memory,” said Kaitlyn Szymanski, 30, Arthur Szymanski’s daughter.<\/p>\n

For the past several years, the charity ride and gift auction has grown each time, last year raising over $10,000 for three charities: Ocean of Love, which helps the families of children with cancer; RWJ Barnabas Hospice, which provides bereavement groups and other services; and\u00a0David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation, based in Ocean County, which provides financial assistance to local families dealing with a cancer fight.<\/p>\n

The motorcycle ride not only honors the memory of what Arthur Szymanski did in his free time, but also his kind heart. Each year, Ocean of Love partners with a local radio station, with a DJ camping out on top of a billboard until a donation goal is reached.<\/p>\n

“Ocean of Love was my dad\u2019s favorite charity,” Kaitlyn Szymanski said. “It was my dad\u2019s favorite thing to do \u2013 go there on their last day and give a check. We knew it was important to my dad, so we wanted to keep that going.”<\/p>\n

Szymanski also loved helping children, and would participate himself in the annual Toy Run event as well as many other charity rides.<\/p>\n

Some funds also go to RWJ Barnabas Hospice, which helped the Szymanski family deal with their loss.<\/p>\n

“Barnabas Hospice helped us a lot, my mom particularly,” Kaitlyn Szymanski said. “The bereavement group really helped her, and they do amazing things.”<\/p>\n

The auction, held outdoors after the ride, will feature gift cards from local restaurants, salon gift baskets, clothing and art work, among other items.<\/p>\n

Szymanski’s sons’ band, Sneak Attack, will perform at the after-party.<\/p>\n

For those interested in attending:<\/strong><\/p>\n