This year the alliance will raffle off an Arlen Ness Victory Kingpin Deluxe motorcycle at the gala dinner, dance and auction to be held at Veterans Hall in Brentwood. The motorcycle is signed by designers Arlen and Corey Ness of Arlen Ness Motorcycles in Dublin. The motorcycle is also signed by Hank Williams, Jr., Charlie Daniels, Lee Greenwood and Lt. Col. Oliver North, U.S. Marine Corp. (Ret.), who is the Freedom Alliance founder and honorary chairman. Raffle tickets for the motorcycle are $25 each or five for $100.
"We could easily have already sold it on eBay," said Mike Ketchel, event director. "But if we did that we'd be eliminating the ordinary working guy who couldn't afford to buy it."
Ketchel said that the fund has sold tickets for the raffle from as far away as Texas. "Word about the raffle has gotten out on the Internet and through word of mouth."
He said the motorcycle would sell for $20,400 without the signatures, but he has been told by knowledgeable collectors that with the signatures it's worth between $50,000 and $100,000 - or more.
Ketchel said the motorcycle will be on display at Les Schwab Tires on Lone Tree Way through Nov. 3. After that it can be viewed at Brentwood Dodge until the winner claims it.
The Nov. 18th fund-raiser includes four events. In addition to the dinner, dance and auction in Brentwood, at the Discovery Bay Marina there will be a car show and two running events: the Liberty Mile and the 5-K Freedom Run.
The car show will begin staging from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Opening ceremonies will start at 8:45. The Liberty Mile starts at 9 a.m. The 5-K Freedom Run begins at 9:30 a.m. The dinner at Veterans Hall in Brentwood begins with a reception starting at 5:45 p.m. Seating begins at 6 p.m. The combined dinner and dance will last until midnight. Music will be performed by Pride and Joy, known for their Motown sound.
"They're the best party and dance band in the Bay Area, bar none," said Ketchel. "We're lucky to get them. This is the first time they've played this far out. They usually perform at places like the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco."
Trophies will be awarded to runners in various categories, including overall finish and different age groups. Participants can run or walk, Ketchel said.
"Last year our oldest participant was in her 80s," Ketchel said. "And our youngest was 6."
Awards also will be presented to car show winners in various categories. Ketchel said the car show was included for the first time last year, mostly as an afterthought.
"We had under 50 cars," he said. "But we're expecting a lot more than that this year. I'm shooting for 200. We don't have that many entries so far, but I have people telling me, 'Get ready. There'll be more than that.'
"You know how these classic car people are. They wake up in the morning and go outside, lick a finger and hold it up. If there's a hint of clouds in the sky, they'll turn around and go back to bed. If not, they'll fire up the car and
head out."
In its first year, 2004, the alliance raised $4,300. Last year the event collected $11,500. This year Ketchel is shooting for $50,000.
"Please remember that all money raised from entry fees, pledges and donations will go directly toward scholarships," said Ketchel. "Every penny and every participant shows our military families that we care."
Since seating at the dinner will be limited and a large turnout anticipated, Ketchel said that those who want to attend should call to make reservations. For more information, call Mike Ketchel at 321-2957 or 240-5278.
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