HONORING VETERANS
AND HELPING CHILDREN
All photos by Norman Schimmel
WITH A FOCUS ON VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL
— AND GREAT WEATHER — THE 2014 THUNDER BY THE BAY MAY HAVE
BROKEN RECORDS
Staff Reports
In joining forces this year with the Legacy
of Valor campaign, the 16th Annual Thunder
by the Bay, organized by Suncoast Charities
for Children, may well have been one of the
biggest yet, Lucy Nicandri, vice president of
marketing and special events for Suncoast
Charities, told The Sarasota News Leader
this week.
a veteran — "was huge," Nicandri pointed
out. The internationally known custom bike
builder donated his time for the event, she
added.
On Sunday, the Legacy of Valor Ride to
Sarasota National Cemetery had more than
700 participants — double the typical number
It will be about two weeks before data is avail- for the traditional ride, she continued.
able regarding the event's economic impact
Indoor events on Thursday and Friday nights
on the county and its contributions to the
charity are available, Nicandri said on Jan. also had higher attendance than usual, she
14, but preliminary indications "look really, noted.
really good."
"The whole element of saluting veterans and
The involvement of Paul Teutul Sr., founder active military was a nice touch," Nicandri
of Orange County Choppers — and himself said of the 2014 event. %
