Chuck Fortinberry hopes motorcyclists from near and far will turn out at Clarkston Chrysler Jeep later this month for eats, camaraderie, and a scenic 50-mile ride escorted by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
Final destination: A performance by country music stars Big and Rich at DTE.
All for a reasonable price, and all for a charitable cause.
When Fortinberry, president of Clarkston Chrysler Jeep, decided to give back to the community, he wanted to serve an organization he could relate to, a cause with personal meaning.
‘My father died of leukemia in 1993, and we wanted to give back to something we were touched by as a family,? said Fortinberry, noting that he and wife Dana had three small children at the time. ‘We thought CLF would be the most appropriate organization for us to focus our attention on.?
CLF’Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan’is a non-profit organization founded in 1952 by a group of parents who each lost a child to leukemia. The group’s mission is to assist other families enduring the difficult time by providing information, financial assistance, and support to children and adults affected by leukemia, lymphoma, and related blood disorders.
Fortinberry said he likes the fact that money raised by CLF supporters stays in Michigan and funnels directly to families affected by the disease.
‘Research is great; we need research,? he said. ‘But at CLF we make sure we’re there to support the family’whether it’s getting kids gifts for Christmas, helping with medical bills or just providing information, support and social events with other people who’ve been through the process.?
Usually, he said, families facing a leukemia diagnosis are facing the biggest challenge of their lifetime, and the help and hope provided by CLF are indispensable.
‘People just don’t know where to turn when they get hit with this,? he said. ‘There’s a learning curve; you have to figure out where to go, what to do next, how to deal with all of it. It’s overwhelming, and anything we can do to help people get through that process is our primary goal.?
And it’s a goal he’s determined to meet.
In a Summer 2006 newsletter, CLF President Glenn Trevisan credited Fortinberry with raising more than $700,000 for the organization through events like the Glen W. Fortinberry Memorial Golf Classic and the annual motorcycle ride.
This year, Fortinberry hopes the ride turns out bigger and better than ever.
?(DTE) stepped up huge and offered us Big and Rich,? he said. ‘And we were able to partner with WYCD radio. We feel it’s going to be biggest and best we’ve ever had. We’re looking to keep raising the bar.?

Tribute to a friend

In 2004, the tragic death of close friends Dave and Wanda Harrison prompted Fortinberry to rename his ride in the couple’s honor.
As two of the founding members of Clarkston State Bank, Fortinberry and Dave Harrison developed a friendship during the many hours spent laboring over details of the project in the boardroom at Fortinberry’s dealership.
‘I got to be very close with Dave,? Fortinberry said. ‘He was one of my better friends in the world.?
After the Harrison’s death, Fortinberry wanted to pay homage to his friends, and asked the couple’s children for their blessing in renaming his annual event The David and Wanda Harrison Memorial Charity Ride.
The children, of course, agreed.
‘Dave and Wanda were both community-minded, very philanthropic givers. I thought it would be nice to honor them with something they really enjoyed doing and something that would help other people.?

David and Wanda Harrison Memorial Charity Ride

Date: Saturday, August 25, 2007
Price: $30 per Driver ($25 for rider)
Time:3 p.m. Registration opens
5:30 p.m. – Ride takes off
7 p.m. – Arrive at DTE
7:30 p.m. – Concert Begins
Start: Clarkston Chrysler/Jeep
8105 Big Lake Road
I-75 – Exit 93 at Dixie Hwy
For a map and directions,
go to leukemiamichigan.org
Finish: DTE Music Theatre
Sashabaw Road,
Exit 89 off I-75