Race car to be raffled to raise funds for March of Dimes

Race car to be raffled to raise funds for March of Dimes

The March of Dimes “Race to Save Babies” has local race car driver and builder Dan Riemersma revved up about Saturday activities at the Berlin Raceway in Marne.

Riemersma and his pit crew, which is comprised of family and friends, rebuilt and customized a four-cylinder, 1994 Honda Accord race car that will be raffled off between 7-11 p.m. that day at the raceway.

Proceeds from the raffle will be given to the Grand Rapids-based March of Dimes in memory of 6 1/2-month-old Ashlynn Elizabeth Hamm, the daughter of Ryan and April Hamm of Norton Shores, who died June 2009 from health complications after being born premature, April Hamm said.

“Dan Riemersma, along with family, friends and many sponsors, took the time to build this race-ready car to help raise money for the March of Dimes March for Babies,” wrote Nancy Flaska, Ashlynn’s grandmother, in a letter to The Muskegon Chronicle.

Raffle tickets for the Honda Accord are $5 each or 5 tickets for $20 and can be purchased Friday night at Winston Speedway in Rothbury, Saturday at the Berlin Raceway before the drawing. Raffle ticket holders do not have to be in attendance to win, Hamm said.

“When it’s all done, we hope to raise about $2,500 for the March of Dimes (Team Ashlynn Elizabeth),” Dan Riemersma said.


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The raceway also has designated Saturday the March of Dimes 4-cylinder Race Night. For every admission ticket sold that day at the raceway, $1 will be donated to The March of Dimes, according to raceway officials. “That’s (raceway president) Mike Blackmer who did that,” Hamm said. “That was his idea. He’s very generous.”

“We are showing our support to April Hamm and her work with the March of Dimes,” Blackmer said in an e-mail submitted to The Chronicle by Nick Caudle of Berlin Raceway Sales and Promotions. “Sadly, last year (April Hamm) lost her child and she has taken it upon herself to raise awareness and funds for this cause. We are proud to be a part of this and help her in her efforts.”


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March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the improvement of the health of babies and prevention of premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality through “research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies’ lives,” according to the organization’s Web site.

Since Ashlynn’s birth, her parents, other family members and friends have collected and donated more than $10,000 to the organization in Ashlynn’s honor.

“March of Dimes-funded research for the inhalant (used by Ashlynn) and without that she would not have been able to take a breathe,” April Hamm said.

“A nurse of Ashlynn asked me if I had known about the March of Dimes,” Hamm said. “And then she explained to me about the inhalant and other things Ashlynn was using in the hospital and how March of Dimes played a big role. ... Once I found that out, I had to give back some how because they gave me my miracle.”

Riemersma said he’s known Ashlynn’s family for years as part of the local racing community. When he learned of the infant’s health challenges and death, he was compelled to do something in her memory and for her family and other children helped through the March of Dimes.

He said he came up with the idea for the raffle, shared his ideas, got donors, including his own car sponsors, and used his own money to get the project done.

“It’s been fun seeing what people say about the car, watching people buy tickets” said Riemersma, who pulled the vehicle on a trailer to various community and race events to display it. “Some people are really shocked that someone came up with the idea.”

Some raffle ticket purchasers have even told Riemersma and Hamm and that if they win the vehicle, they’d consider giving it back to the raffle organizers to host another fundraiser in memory of Ashlynn and to support the March of Dimes.

“For some, it’s just a way to donate money,” said Riemersma.

April Hamm said she’s excited about the fundraiser, the future and the support received from so many people in their efforts to support the March of Dimes in memory of Ashlynn.

“I have my bad days,” April Hamm said of her life since Ashlynn’s death. “I can’t fall asleep, and I cry myself to sleep, like anyone would ... I just want to make her proud. … I miss her a lot, but I still want to do good for her and help other babies.”

For more information about the raffle, contact April Hamm at rahamm7@comcast.net. For more information about the March of Dimes, call 248-359-1550 or go online at www.marchofdimes.com.

Good Deeds

Mudgi Cavender of Norton Shores has organized the Fourth Annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation community yard sale this weekend that will offer buyers great bargains for a great cause.



Photo courtesy of Mudgi CavenderMudgi Cavender, left, and her daughter, Julie Grelewicz Woirol, 31, who was diagnosed with diabetes at age 10, at the 2008 Walk For A Cure at Holland State Park. Photo, courtesy of Mudgi Cavender
The yard sale will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Calvin Church, 973 W. Norton, with proceeds going to the JDRF.

It’s an effort Cavender knows firsthand will make a difference, she said. She is the mother of a 31-year-old daughter who has been a diabetic since age 10 and benefited from diabetes research.

Cavender became involved with JDRF soon after her daughter was diagnosed and estimates she’s helped to raise awareness of diabetes and the foundation and about $20,000 for research efforts funded by the organization.

“I just want them to find a cure,” Cavender said on behalf of her daughter and others living with diabetes.

“I wear my Walk-for-a-Cure T-shirt,” Cavender said. When folks see her in the shirt, they share their stories. “I’m amazed at how many kids are diagnosed, to me it’s very scary. ... There are so many kids.”

Since retiring as a local school teacher five years ago, Cavender said she has poured herself into raising funds and support for the foundation and its efforts.

“My husband said I’m obsessive,” she said with a laugh. “But, somebody’s got to do this, and I can, so I am.”

To donate items for the community yard sale or for more information about the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, contact Cavender at 231-798-4700 or go online to her Web site at indebtum@yahoo.com or JDRF’s Web site at www.jdrf.org.

E-mail Loretta Robinson at lrobinson@muskegonchronicle.com