After 13 years of fundraising and awareness, Gail Barrett says it’s time to say goodbye to Wade’s Ride.
The annual activity has been held in memory of Wade Barrett, who passed away before his first birthday due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, also known as SIDS. Over the years, it has grown from a poker run to include a silent auction and a 5K run and walk. Proceeds have bought Halo sleep sacks for newborns at Newman Regional Health and portable cribs for the Emporia Community Baby Shower, and Gail Barrett says the fundraiser has helped a lot of people through those purchases.
Initial totals are around $12,000 generated Saturday, putting the grand total at close to $175,000. Barrett estimates around 5,000 Halo sleep sacks and several hundred Pack and Play cribs have been bought for area babies through the Wade’s Ride fundraising efforts.
Barrett says several things came together to close down Wade’s Ride. The family has gotten increasingly busy over the last few years. At the same time, fundraising has been successful enough to keep the operation moving for another 10 years or so. Barrett says ongoing involvement in the Emporia Community Foundation’s annual Match Day fundraiser has been successful, and she’s hoping to have continued success with several grants as well.
