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<p>Hundreds of motorcycles thundered through the curves and straightaways of local roads Sunday to support the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Luzerne County at the 21st annual Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club SPCA Ride.</p><p>With perfect weather and conditions, riders, guests and volunteers met at the SPCA in Plains Township to start their ride focused on a fun day and helping a good cause by raising an estimated $8,000.</p><p>The funds will help defray the costs of handling the approximately 5,000 abused, abandoned and neglected animals shelter employees and volunteers deal with each year, according to organizers.</p><p>The ride included an 80-mile trek that traveled along secondary highways into the Poconos region and eventually ending at the Polish American Veterans Club in Plains Township, said WVMC public relations representative Linda Armstrong.</p><p>The first 300 registered riders earned a commemorative pin. They also enjoyed at the end of the ride live musical entertainment, dined on food and beverages, participated in a basket raffle and just had a good time together sporting the motorcycle rider lifestyle, she added.</p><p>Armstrong emphasized the WVMC members are happy to support the SPCA because of the work it does to assist those that cannot help themselves.</p><p>Peggy Nork, from the SPCA, couldn&#8217;t say enough good things about the people at the motorcycle club who have been helping for more than two decades.</p><p>&#8220;We are immensely grateful,&#8221; Nork said. &#8220;We are forever thankful they chose to help us. We couldn&#8217;t have asked for better support.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;All funds raised will go right into paying for our animal services including veterinary care, food and other care and supplies,&#8221; she added.</p><p>The WVMC has more than 200 members and presents several fundraising rides each year, raising tens of thousands of dollars for their beneficiaries. Some of the causes they supported include the Shriner&#8217;s Hospital, St. Joseph&#8217;s Hospital, St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen, Toys for Tots, Teddy Bear Patrol and the Wyoming Valley Children&#8217;s Association, Armstrong said.</p><p>The club was formed by a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who wanted to give their weekend excursions some meaning and help give back to the community. A diverse club, its members promote respect for the rights and passions of all riders and members of the community, she added.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Amber Carter, of Plains Township, pets Bella, a feamle Rotweiller mix, who needs a home. Finding animals homes and helping provide for their care until they find one are the ultimate goals of the motorcycle ride. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_TTL06262017SPCA2-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Amber Carter, of Plains Township, pets Bella, a feamle Rotweiller mix, who needs a home. Finding animals homes and helping provide for their care until they find one are the ultimate goals of the motorcycle ride. </caption0><photoCredit0>Charlotte Bartizek | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_TTL06262017SPCA3-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Rose Strazdus, of Wilkes Barre, wife of the Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club&#8217;s road captain, unfurls the club&#8217;s banner at the 21st annual benefit ride for the SPCA. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_TTL06262017SPCA3-1.jpg</photo1><caption1>Rose Strazdus, of Wilkes Barre, wife of the Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club&#8217;s road captain, unfurls the club&#8217;s banner at the 21st annual benefit ride for the SPCA. </caption1><photoCredit1>Charlotte Bartizek | For Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_TTL06262017SPCA1-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">The 21st annual Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club benefit ride for the SPCA in Plains attracted about 350 participants Sunday morning. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_TTL06262017SPCA1-1.jpg</photo2><caption2>The 21st annual Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club benefit ride for the SPCA in Plains attracted about 350 participants Sunday morning. </caption2><photoCredit2>Charlotte Bartizek | For Times Leader </photoCredit2></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Motorcycle ride benefits SPCA</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ralph Nardone</p><p>For Times Leader</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach the Times Leader newsroom at 570-829-7242 or on Twitter @TLnews.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club raises funds for SPCA at annual ride