Craven’s ride raises $185,200 Eight-year total passes $1 million

When Nancy Craven and her son Ricky first put their heads together and came up with the idea of a snowmobile ride to benefit charities, their goals were modest.

Eight Ricky Craven Snowmobile Rides for Charity later, that idea has blossomed into a million-dollar fundraiser.

Saturday’s eighth annual, 60-mile ride through the hills around Moosehead Lake attracted 520 snowmobilers and raised another $185,200 for five charities: The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine and New Hampshire, Marrow Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network, Travis Roy Foundation, and Give Kids the World.

“It really just continues to exceed my expectations even now,” said Craven, who was on his way to Atlanta Sunday to start preparing for his upcoming NASCAR truck racing season. “Regardless of the weather conditions or any type of adversity or hurdles we have, we’ve truly been blessed these last eight years. They’ve been successful by all measure and everyone who has participated has really enjoyed themselves.”

This year’s “hurdle” was a lack of snow, believe it or not.

“Everywhere in New England has an abundance of snow, but Greenville really doesn’t compared to those areas,” Craven said. “But the members of Moosehead Riders did an excellent job grooming the trails and making it a great ride.”

Nancy Craven said the area had only five or six total inches of snow, but the ride was unaffected.

“It was a tremendous effort by all who were involved,” she said. “I just want to say thank you to all the sponsors and organizers and volunteers. It’s amazing what we’ve been able to accomplish.”

What they’ve accomplished is the raising of $1,005,310 for the eight events. Not bad for an event run by 15 volunteers that first drew 600 people 300 snowmobiles and raised $41,900.

“My immediate concern was how do we top that?, but we continue to do it,” said Ricky Craven. “People – Maine people in particular – have rallied behind this event and it’s taken on a life of its own now.”

Last year’s total was a record-setting $253,500 and now the event has an eight-member committee that serves year round and about 75-100 total volunteers.