Hundreds of motorcyclists will hit the streets Sunday in Homer Glen to help kids and adults with disabilities.
The 11th Annual Shady Oaks Benefit Run, known as the SOB Run, will depart at 11 a.m. from Shady Oaks Camp, 16300 Parker Road, which opened in 1947 for those with cerebral palsy. Since 1999, the camp has accommodated kids and adults with various physical and mental disabilities.
Campers, many in wheelchairs, will be present when 300 to 500 bikers and their passengers arrive at the camp for the benefit, which raises $30,000 to $40,000 each year.
“You see those kids and you truly know how lucky you have it every day,” said Geno Francione, the Tinley Park resident who founded the SOB Run with family and friends. “A lot of people don’t know the camp exists. Once they see it, it’ll tug on their heartstrings. That’s what happened to me.”
From Homer Glen, the run will travel south to taverns in Coal City, Seneca and Joliet, with door prizes given at each stop. It will end with a party, open to motorcyclists and non-motorcyclists alike, at Jenny’s Southside Tap, 10160 W. 191st St. in Mokena.
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The grand raffle prize is a 2014 Harley-Davidson Street Glide.
“Every single dime we raise goes right back into the camp to pay for bills, pay the staff, buy food and go toward equipment,” Shady Oaks executive director Scott Steele said.
It costs $3,325 for a two-week camp, which pairs every participant with a counselor. Parents, who own and operate the camp, sell raffle tickets and do other fundraising on their own to defray costs.
Registration for the SOB Run will open at 9 a.m. and costs $20 per rider and $15 per passenger.
For more information or to register, contact Francione at (708) 935-7777 or Shady Oaks Camp at (708) 301-0816. Or visit or the Shady Oaks Riders on Facebook.