Traffic Alert: Heavy motorcycle traffic expected on Route 80 on Wednesday evening

Off the Wire
News - General News

More than 2,000 motorcyclists are expected to be riding Route 80 through Morris County at the tail end of rush hour Wednesday for the 23rd annual Gooch's Garlic Motorcycle Run.

The event, which is run by the New Jersey Blue Knights and leaves from the Rockaway Townsquare Mall at 6:30 p.m., was originally scheduled for June 16 but was postponed because of bad weather. The current forecast for Wednesday is partly cloudy with a high of 93.

The run is expected to raise more than $40,000 to help four families with children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. The proceeds will go to 4-year-old Zachary Decker of Hamburg, who was recently diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 11-year-old Michael J. Nunez, of New York City, who suffers from a brain tumor, 12-year-old Bai Hao Yu, of New York City who suffers from leukemia, and 11-year-old Taylor Ayers of Milford, PA., who suffers from an extremely rare brain tumor and gigantism, an abnormal growth caused by excessive secretion of hormone from the pituitary gland.

"Everything we make, we give away," said Jeff Hunker, Goodwill Ambassador for the Blue Knights, which is an international law enforcement motorcycle club. "Last year we were able to raise $40,000, granting each family a $10,000 check. This year we hope to do even better."

The proceeds from the event will "help pay for these four children's costly medical bills and help pay for treatment that can help them fight their illnesses," said Elizabeth DiDuca, area director of marketing and business development for Rockaway Townsquare and Livingston Mall.

Riders are scheduled to go east from the Rockaway Townsquare Mall, following Routes 80 and then 280 through the Holland Tunnel, to the Little Italy section of Manhattan where the benefiting families will be served dinner and drinks from two of the sponsors; Umberto's Clam House and LuNello Restaurant.

"We have really great sponsors that help make the run possible," Hunker said.

The Blue Nights invite all motorcyclists to participate in the 23rd annual Gooch's Garlic Run. Registration is $15 per motorcycle and $20 on the day of the event (both costs include toll fee.) Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23rd.

Anyone interested in contributing to the run, but unable to attend, can send donations to Al "Gooch" Monaco, 819 Limecrest Road, Newton, NJ 07860. Checks should be made payable to Blue Knights NJ IX.

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