Rides that give back. Memorial runs, benefit rides, poker runs, and community events where the road serves something bigger than the rider.
Annual rides with national reach and real impact.
Charity · National
Ride for Kids®
Multiple Cities · US
Spring through Fall
Presented by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. One of the most established charity motorcycle events in the country. Scenic group rides that have raised over $30 million.
Official Site →Memorial · National
Rolling to Remember
Washington D.C.
Memorial Day Weekend
Formerly Rolling Thunder. Hundreds of thousands of riders descend on Washington D.C. to honor POW/MIA veterans. One of the most significant motorcycle gatherings in America.
Official Site →Charity · National
Toys for Tots Motorcycle Runs
Nationwide · US
October – December
Local toy runs organized across the country in partnership with the Marine Corps. Hundreds of individual rides. Riders show up with unwrapped toys and leave with something harder to name.
Find a Run →Community · Global
The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride
Cities Worldwide
Late September
Dapper attire, classic bikes, and a serious cause — men's health research and awareness. Over $45 million raised across 120+ countries. The rare charity ride that gets the culture right.
Official Site →Veteran · National
Patriot Guard Riders
Nationwide · US
Year-round · On request
Volunteer riders who attend funeral services of fallen military and first responders — forming a respectful barrier, flag line, and escort. Not a rally. A duty. One of the most respected organizations in motorcycle culture.
PGR Site →Charity · National
Bikes, Blues & BBQ
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Late September
Also listed under rallies — but worth noting here: proceeds support over 100 local children's charities. One of the few large rallies where the charity component is genuinely central.
Official Site →A poker run is a charity or community motorcycle event where riders visit a series of checkpoints — usually 5 — and draw one playing card at each stop. At the end of the route, the rider with the best poker hand wins a prize.
Entry fees go to charity. The route provides the ride. The cards give people a reason to stop, interact, and stay for the whole thing. It's a smart format — low-pressure, route-focused, and community-driven.
Poker runs happen constantly at the local level — sponsored by clubs, dealerships, VFW posts, and community organizations. The best way to find them is through local rider groups, dealership bulletin boards, and regional Facebook groups.
"The poker run is proof that the best reason to ride somewhere is also the simplest: other people will be there when you arrive."
Most local charity rides aren't listed on national sites. Here's where to find them:
Your Local Dealership
Dealerships sponsor and publicize more local charity rides than anyone. Walk in, check the bulletin board, ask the service desk. They know what's coming up in your area.
Regional Facebook Groups
Search "[Your State/City] Motorcycle Riders" on Facebook. Local charity rides and poker runs get posted here weeks in advance. High signal-to-noise for event listings.
VFW & American Legion Posts
Veterans' organizations run some of the most consistent charity rides in the country. Contact your local post. Many have annual poker runs that don't get publicized beyond the local riding community.
Submit One Here
Running a local charity ride or poker run? Send it to us and we'll list it. Wind Therapy™ readers are riders who show up for this kind of thing.
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