Each year hundreds of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts descend on the Black Hills of South Dakota for the largest event of its kind anywhere in the world – the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. They come from all across the county and around the world. And, while they are here, they generously support poker runs, rides and raffles to help a variety of causes.

Jim Burgess, a Rapid City native, who along with his three partners purchased Black Hills Harley-Davidson and Sturgis Harley-Davidson in 2000, experienced the generosity of these folks first hand at his dealership. As a father, Jim, and his wife Monica, have two sons. One son, Drew, is a child with special needs.

Now, Jim’s a thinker. He began to envision an event during the Rally that would offer these motorcycle enthusiasts and industry professionals an opportunity to enjoy a nice evening in a relaxed social setting while raising funds for local charities.

So, Jim, along with partners, Al Reiman, Clay Trulson and Jim Doyle, gathered up a group of like-minded friends and went to work. As the vision began to take shape, the group started crafting a one-of-a-kind benefit dinner and auction that would play host to the motorcycling community for a relaxed, enjoyable evening of dining and entertainment in which everyone could renew old acquaintances and make new ones. It didn’t take long for the group to decide that the benefit event should support children and motorcycling, both of which are causes near and dear to the hearts of the global motorcycle community. And, thanks to one of the committee members, the event was aptly named “Kids & Chrome”.

Kids & Chrome held its inaugural event during the 2005 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, gathering motorcycle enthusiasts, industry professionals, celebrities and legends under one roof for an eclectic mix of fun, food and festivities in the name of “Kids”, a local children’s hospital that needed expansion, and “Chrome”, the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.

In just four years Kids & Chrome has donated well in excess of a half million dollars to positively impact the lives of these special needs children and preserve the history of motorcycling.

This year, Kids & Chrome will again gather this special breed of motorcycle enthusiasts and industry legends from around the world to “Rally for a Reason” in the name of “Kids”, the Children’s Home Society, and “Chrome”, the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame.

Funding from Kids & Chrome assists Children’s Home Society (CHS) in providing a home, school and therapy for children, primarily ages 4 to 13, with emotional or behavioral problems. Most are victims of severe abuse and/or neglect. CHS also provides foster care, adoption services, and emergency shelter services for children who are victims of domestic violence.

Kids & Chrome’s gift to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum, provided the funding necessary to underwrite new museum exhibits and further archiving efforts in order to continue the mission of preserving the great history of motorcycling and honoring the men and women who have advanced the sport and lifestyle.

Event attendees from the motorcycle community who join Kids & Chrome for its benefit dinner and auction come from the most recognized names in the motorcycle industry and corporate world: Harley-Davidson, Victory, Yamaha, Lehman Trikes, J&P Cycles, Samson Exhaust, Kuryakyn, Baker Drivetrain, Metzeler Tires, GEICO Powersports, S&S, Performance Machine, Jim Nasi Customs, Mustang Seats and Vance & Hines, just to name a few.

This year's 5th Anniversary Kids & Chrome is slated for Wednesday, August 5th, 2009, at the Spearfish Holiday Inn and Convention Center, Spearfish, SD. It begins with a 5:30PM social and silent auction followed by an exclusive gala dining experience and live auction finale.

For more information on Kids & Chrome, email Monica@KidsandChrome.com or phone 605-341-0151.
Kids & Chrome Foundation, Inc. is a Black Hills 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.