Published: April 28, 2008 05:53 pm      

Riders gather for Danville family in need

PLAINFIELD — Area motorcyclists braved cooler than expected temperatures Saturday morning to show their support for an 8-year-old Danville boy in his fight against cerebral palsy.

Levi Anderson was diagnosed with the neurological disorder at birth; though he continues to thrive at school and his mother Pam says that her son has exceptional computer skills and is even learning sign language.

The biggest difficulty that the Andersons presently face is helping Levi get to and from the number of places he needs to go.

The family has purchased a van to transport Levi and his wheelchair and is now trying to raise funds to purchase a wheelchair lift system that can be installed on the vehicle.

Pam explained that most lift systems range between $2,500 and $6,000 and that the family is seeking community assistance to help fund the addition.

Levi’s sister, Jennifer Jones, said that the concept of a motorcycle ride was a perfect fit for her youngest brother.

“Levi loves motorcycles and he really loves anything with an engine,” Jones explained.

It was in that spirit that the first Levi’s Pit-Crew fundraiser was established.

“This is our first one, but there are already a lot of people encouraging us to make it an annual thing,” Pam said. “We’ve had a lot of people who don’t have bikes but wanted to help so we’ve invited them out to come and eat.”

Riders gathered at The Coachman restaurant in Plainfield on Saturday morning, before embarking on a 90-plus mile journey that wrapped up at the Hendricks County Senior Center in Danville where participants were treated to a hog roast paid for and prepared by members of the Danville Fire Department.

Riders were escorted by Levi, who rode in front in a limo, donated by a local limousine service.

Raising Levi is a full-time job for Pam. Her husband, George, supports the family through his work as a mechanic.

Still, Pam says that what Levi endures and accomplishes is a credit to his own strength and character.

“It’s a lot of work,” she said. “We go to three different therapists six times a week and he works harder than most grown people I know.”

brian.kern@flyergroup.com



INFO BOX

You can still help

If you missed the Levi’s Pit Crew motorcycle ride and would still like to make a donation to the Anderson family’s wheelchair lift fund, call Jennifer Jones at (765) 720-3957. Any additional money collected after the lift has been purchased will be donated to cerebral palsy research.