Toms River boy leads bikers on trek for troops

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TOM`S RIVER — The rumble of dozens of motorcyclists revving their engines cut through a thick morning fog on an otherwise quiet street in the township's Normandy Beach section Saturday morning, but no one was complaining.

Scores of bikers, family and friends gathered to support Drew Panarello, 10, as he embarked on a 15-mile bicycle ride from the barrier island to the Army National Guard's armory in Toms River to raise money and awareness for American Recreational Military Services.

"I'm just happy that I'm helping," Drew said.

His project, Kidz for Troops, came about several months ago when Drew and his classmates at Bay Head Elementary School each were given $100 and told to "make the world a better place." Inspired by the military service of Ray Latshaw, a friend of his grandfather and family, Drew knew he wanted to bring some smiles to the faces of armed services professionals in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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"I'd like them to feel remembered," he said. "It's really harsh over there, and it's just good to show them a little love."

Drew sought $100 sponsorships for each of the 15 miles of his trip and donated the $1,500 to ARMS, a nonprofit organization with offices in Toms River and New York that sends care packages to troops and supports their families at home.

"It gets very tough in this day and age to raise money, and he's trying to draw attention to this. There's a definite need out there," ARMS executive director Ronnie Micciulla said, calling Drew a "tremendous child."

"He's a phenomenal boy; he'll blow you away."

Joining Drew were nearly 50 motorcyclists from Warriors' Watch, Rolling Thunder, American Legion riders from Toms River, southern Ocean County, and Brick, and the Blue Knights. Warriors' Watch presented Drew with a leather biker vest, complete with the group's signature patch bearing its slogan of support for the armed forces: "We have your backs here at home."

Gary and Marie Panarello, Drew's parents, have helped him organize his project for months and expressed gratitude to Drew's sponsors and the township for allowing the ride to proceed safely. They wore Kidz for Troops T-shirts in support of their son's cause.

"These men are fighting for us, and we wanted to give something back," Marie Panarello said.

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