Buffalo Chip Contributes Over $750k to Local Charities

Chipping In

The Buffalo Chip raises has taken a leadership role bringing together thousands of motorcyclists, patriots and fans in an effort to support and strengthen the Black Hills community through significant charitable contributions. Through its meticulous organization, marketing and staffing of premier events such as the Buffalo Chip’s Legends Ride® presented by GEICO Motorcycle, Legends Lunch, Biker Belles® and Freedom Celebration, the Buffalo Chip has produced well-attended affairs and has raised a combined $769,466.79 for charities.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum has received $250,000 for the building fund. Recipients in 2018 alone including South Dakota Special Olympics – Rapid City Flame, Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame, Helping with Horsepower, Sgt. Colton Levi Derr Foundation, America’s Mighty Warriors, Warrior Dog Foundation and others received more than $85,000.

Signature Buffalo Chip charity events offer bikers the opportunity to break public perception and transcend social norms with bold solutions that benefit those with special needs, America’s wounded Veterans and Black Hills communities.

Those who attended the exclusive Legends Lunch that preceded the ride raised an additional $5,188. Stars attending the event included actor Tom Berenger, politician Sarah Palin and her husband Todd Palin, NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace, Drag Racing Hall of Famer Don Prudhomme, off road racing legend Walker Evans, actor Zahn McClarnon, writer and actor Carmine Cangialosi and Shannon Aikau, Ryan Evans and “Horny” Mike of HISTORY Channel’s “Counting Cars.” The events were held on Deadwood’s Main Street and at the Silverado and Historic Franklin Hotel. The Legends Ride has been featured on CMT, the National Geographic Channel, the Tonight Show, FX Network and the Travel Channel, as well as in many additional print, online and newspaper articles.

In an effort to help create an essential permanent athlete training facility for the athletes in the Black Hills, in 2016 the Buffalo Chip pledged $100,000 to renovate an existing facility to meet the growing needs of the organization. The pledged donation is an investment in more than just a gym, giving the 127 Special Olympians who are members of the “Rapid City Flame” a sense of permanence and accomplishment. The floor of the facility has already been renovated with donated funds and is currently in use.

Biker Belles was created in 2008 to raise awareness of the passion, diversity and spirit of women in motorcycling and to raise funds for local worthy charities. The Buffalo Chip’s 10th annual Biker Belles charity celebration in 2018 included the first-ever Women & Wheels Bike Show presented by the Wild Gypsy Tour featuring women-owned bikes. In addition, the Morning Ride™ led participants on a journey from the Buffalo Chip’s CrossRoads to the Lodge at Deadwood where participants experienced the Comfort Zone by Team Diva, a catered lunch and an inspiring symposium of leading women in the motorcycle industry.