Jimbo Rally 2008 -- Make Promises Happen

One-hundred twenty-six riders, as well as several hundred others came out to the Jimbo Moddrell Memorial “Cruisin’ for Kids” Rally that took place Friday and Saturday, hosted by the local Eagles chapter.

The rally’s efforts raised over $16,000 in donations for the Make Promises Happen non-profit organization located outside Guthrie, Oklahoma.

The Moddrell Family chose this organization because their son, the late Jim Moddrell, was a camp leader at the Make Promises Happen Camp for several years prior to his passing in 2000 in an auto accident.

The money that is donated funds multiple things for children with disabilities that may not have had the chance, otherwise.

“Several of us gathered last year to deliver the check to Guthrie to the Make Promises Happen Camp and we had the opportunity to meet with some of the children this impacts and it’s a really great feeling. We gave rides on our bikes to the children that wanted to ride and even though some of them were blind or deaf and had multiple disabilities every one of the children could smile and when they did it told me they were having a good time,” said Gary Moddrell.

“They do other things also, like go camping, rafting, surfing, or in my case a ride on the back of a motorcycle,” added Moddrell.

The Rally had several activities that included a dance, an auction, a poker run, and a bug run. The main events included a chance to win the choice of a pink chopper, roadster, or a 4-wheeler that Della Ryans of Ninnekah won. The other grand prize give-away, a flat screen television was won by Les Bayless of Chickasha.

Michael Reed and Dustin Miller, would have split the $500 dollar prize for the “high hand” on the poker run, however, Miller went home with the full half grand because Reed left early and “was not present to win” as the rules stated.

The “low hand” winnings of $100 dollars was won by Gary Moddrell and then donated back to the “children that the event sponsored.”

Since 2000, when Jimbo’s parents, Gary and Bonnie Moddrell, started the Jimbo Memorial Rally, it has raised over $70,000 in donations for the cause.

This year the National Eagles Lodge has agreed to match the $16K in donations, dollar for dollar -- making a total of $32,000 to go to children of all ages and will help “Make Promises Happen.”