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Annual Molly Dharma Motorcycle Run raises money for animal shelters in the metro area

Posted at 12:49 PM, May 06, 2014
and last updated 2017-03-31 16:04:07-04

If you love animals, motorcycles, or both, get ready to ride to help animals.

7Everyday Hero Ken Mann organizes a motorcycle run that benefits area animals. It all started when Mann rescued a older German Shepherd named Molly Dharma.

"Yep, she was my girl," said Mann.

Molly is now the name sake of a popular motorcycle ride that helps other animals. It is called the Molly Dharma Run.

"The thing about bikers is they're a lot like Molly.  They look gruff on the outside but when it comes time to help animals, or children, or a whole bunch of charitable causes, bikers are there.  They open their hearts, they open their wallets," said Kirk Zimmerman, co-founder of the Molly Dharma Run.

This year's 8th annual ride is on June 8 in Littleton.

Each year Mann and Zimmerman chose a different area shelter to help. This year they have chosen the Humane Society of the South Platte Valley.

"Our shelter was built by the cities of Littleton and Englewood.  So, we house for Englewood, Littleton, Cherry Hills, and Arapahoe.  A lot of that money is going to go towards medical help for the animals. Because that is our biggest need right now," said Liesl Beckmann, Humane Society of the South Platte Valley.

Thousands of dollars will be raised thanks to Zimmerman's expertise as a biker and Mann's flair for organization.

"People look at me with this vest and say: 'Oh, what do you ride?'  I say I'm just a volunteer," said Mann.

On the back of Mann's leather vest it reads:  "Live to wag, wag to live."

And while he may not ride a motorcycle, he spends months thoughtfully planning the annual fundraiser.

"Oh my gosh, the nicest guy you'll ever meet," said Beckmann.

"I'm just trying to get the word out to help the animals," said Mann.

To learn more about the Humane Society of the South Platte Valley and the June 8 Molly Dharma Run: www.hsspv.orwww.molly-dharmarun.org

To nominate an outstanding volunteer in your life and read about more of our great volunteers, visit our 7Everyday Hero section.

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