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Louis J. Billittier Foundation raises $25,000 at 'Great American Ride' sponsored by Chef's Restaurant

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Mon, Jun 19th 2017 03:45 pm
Louis J. Billittier Jr., and Mary Beth Billittier-Darling announced Saturday evening that $25,000 was raised to benefit Western New York charities through the Louis J. Billittier Foundation at the "Great American Ride" Motorcycle Poker Fun Run and Raffle.
Billittier helped select the winning ticket for the Harley Davidson Street Glide bike. The winner was Raymond Zylinski of Lakeview. Four hundred tickets were sold in this raffle at $100 each.
Erie County Sheriff Timothy Howard was "Honorary Road Captain," and 219 registered motorcyclists took to hometown roadways from lots near Chef's Restaurant in downtown Buffalo just after 10 a.m.
More than 15 police bikes served as escorts in what Billittier called the "Great American Ride." The route included stops at the legendary Mickey Rats, a Western New York waterfront institution scheduled to close after this season; the Springville VFW Post; and the Made In America store in Elma, in an all-new route.
Bikers stopped at these various locations to play a game of "poker." The poker run was created by William Taylor (of Powerboat magazine), and participants traveled over a predesignated route. At designated stops on the route, motorcyclists drew playing cards. The object was to have the best poker hand at the end of the run.
Riders returned to Chef's Restaurant with cards. Billittier hosted an outdoor catered ticketed party from 3-5 p.m. Prizes were awarded for bikers with the best hand.
Dave "DJ" Jickster and Carl Russo from 97 Rock hosted the kick-off breakfast rollout Saturday morning. Special guests in attendance included former Sabres "French Connection" star Rene Robert, and retired law enforcement officer Dick Dobson.
Dobson rode in honor of his late son, New York State Police officer Kevin Dobson, who was killed on the I-290 several years ago on a police stop. That incident contributed to the new "Move Over" law.
Lou Jr. and Mary Beth Billittier-Darling created the Louis J. Billittier Foundation after their father passed away in 2000. Lou Billittier was considered one of Western New York's most dedicated community leaders. The foundation continues to support hometown charities, including Buffalo Hearing and Speech, Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the Variety Club of Buffalo
Chef's Restaurant of Buffalo is located at 291 Seneca St. (at the corner of Chicago), in downtown Buffalo. Since the 1950s, generations of the Billittier family members have owned and operated Chef's. For more information, visit www.ilovechefs.com.

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