Photo by Jody Isaackson Kevin and Wendy Haney of rural Tracy collaborated on a quilt for a fundraising raffle where the proceeds would go to Hope for Justice, a charity that fights human trafficking. Kevin Haney used an embroidery machine to create the cream colored Ride for a Reason emblem at the top of the quilt. Wendy Haney was the master designer and seamstress for the remainder of the quilt. The quilt will be raffled off at the Young Living Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah next week.

TRACY

Kevin and Wendy Haney of rural Tracy don’t ride motorcycle, but they are participating in Ride-For-A-Reason in two big ways.

Wendy Haney designed a quilt for raffle at a national convention, and Kevin Haney will provide electronic and medical support for the fundraising ride.

“Find what you love to do and find a way to use it to contribute to your charity,” Wendy Haney was told. “Scott Schuler said that.”

Schuler and his wife, Brenda, are the coordinators for the fundraising motorcycle ride coming through Marshall Sunday morning. They are also the Haneys’ up-line distributors of Young Living Essential Oils, the Haneys said.

“We’re scheduled to leave Willmar about 8:30 a.m.,” Kevin Haney said. “That should put us rounding Marshall on Highway 23 about 9:30 or 10 a.m. Then through Pipestone and on to Sioux Falls and Sturgis.”

Their final destination is the 2018 Young Living Conference June 13-16 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Haneys will drive their SUV as a support vehicle with some pretty sophisticated equipment aboard.

Kevin Haney used to be a storm chaser for the National Weather Service, he said, and had electronic tracking that he has updated in order to help the bikers avoid stormy weather. He is also an emergency medical technician and will pack his field bag to provide on-the-scene first aid in case of injuries.

“We heard about the ride when we went to convention last year for the first time,” the Haneys said. “We don’t ride motorcycle, so we didn’t participate last year, but we found a way this year.”

Also along for the ride will be a special quilt they made for the raffle at the destination convention in Utah.

“Wendy is a master quilt maker,” Kevin Haney said and pointed to a fishing-themed wall hanging behind their couch.

Kevin Haney had also contributed to the quilt.

“I used the embroidery machine and designed the block with the motorcycle theme,” he said. Wendy Haney added a thank-you inscription on the back.

The idea had come from a magazine picture for a motorcycle company, Wendy Haney said. She saw the design and decided she could make something like that.

The Haneys said that with 80 percent of attendees expected to be women, the quilt would provide some variety.

“They plan to display it during the convention and raffle it as one of the prizes, along with a scooter, a Polaris RZR (and other rugged prizes),” Kevin Haney said. “There is already $100,000 in pledges raised already. We’re expecting it to go to $150,000.”

“Young Living will not be keeping any of the funds raised,” Wendy Haney said. “All the proceeds will be going to Ride-For-A-Reason whose projects include Hope for Justice (this year’s designated charity).”

Hope for Justice is an organization that fights human trafficking around the world and rescues victims, the Haneys explained.

“We were amazed at how much of it goes on in Minnesota,” they said. “Even in Duluth and St. Cloud, and at events like the Super Bowl. We can’t just sit back and not do anything about it.”

Anyone interested in supporting the Ride-for-a-Reason can find it on Facebook and see videos there or go to http://ride.scottandbrenda.com or https://younglivingfoundation.org/ride-for-a-reason.