Photo courtesy Gifford Medical Center The Drowns of Northfield return to Gifford after participating in the Last Mile Ride in memory of their daughter, Naomi, who died last year of cancer at age 25. Naomi's father Frank Drown is driving the bike on the right. Naomi's mother Sandra rides on the motorcycle in the foreground. Frank Drown was a top fund-raiser at the event, which attracted more than 180 motorcyclists. RANDOLPH - The 2009 Last Mile Ride - Gifford Medical Center's fourth annual charity motorcycle ride - raised more than $32,000 for end-of-life care Saturday, when motorcyclists from around the state and beyond converged on the Randolph hospital.

Riders called the event "well organized," "a home run" and "a great ride" for a great cause.

Led by Orange County Sheriff Bill Bohnyak and members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, more than 180 bikers participated, driving through Bethel, South Strafford, Thetford, Norwich, White River Junction and Quechee, where they stopped for a quick break at the famed Quechee Gorge.

Riders then continued to Woodstock, Barnard, came back through Bethel on their way to hospital, where a chicken barbecue lunch, music by Randolph band Hillary and Party Crashers, massages from Massage Professionals of Randolph and plenty of prizes awaited.

Riders who raised the most for the cause were awarded gifts from area motorcycle dealers. Brookfield's Tim Schroeder earned the top prize - a $300 gift certificate to Lucky's Motor Sports in Royalton - for the $2,050 he collected for the cause.

Schroeder's key to raising more than $2,000: he asked nearly everyone he knew - family, friends, neighbors and colleagues - to sponsor him.

"I was on the phone making lots of phone calls. Everybody I asked contributed something. And this last week I was really running, collecting all the checks of people who made pledges," said Schroeder, a property manager and motorcycle enthusiast who does several charity rides each year.

Gifford's ride is close to Schroeder's heart.

For the second consecutive year, Schroeder rode in memory of former co-worker Janell Fresolo Renner.

Going on a tour of the facility, Mr. Schroeder said "that really touched my heart," recalling his own mother's death in Connecticut.

Linda Chugkowski, a Gifford Board of Trustees member and Northfield rider, had a similar experience. She lost her brotherin law last year to cancer. He died at home. She wished he'd had a place like Gifford to go.

Ms. Chugkowski, another top fund-raiser, rode in his memory and also that of Northfield native Naomi Drown, who passed away last year at age 25 of cancer, following a stay in Gifford's Garden Room.

Drown's family participated in the ride and her father, Frank Drown, the second highest fund raiser spoke. Hearing Drown speak of his family's experience in the Garden Room, thinking of her brother-in-law and seeing people along the route holding signs of support made the event special, Ms. Chugkowski said.

"It's just a good feeling inside that you're doing something great," she said.

Ms. Chugkowski's employer, Northfield Savings Bank, was also a sponsor of the ride.