Ballard Nature Center to Benefit from 2019 Sheriff's Posse Ride

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Published on September 23 2019 5:13 pm
Last Updated on September 23 2019 5:13 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(EFFINGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF DAVE MAHON IS SHOWN PRESENTING A CHECK TO BALLARD NATURE CENTER BOARD MEMBER CHRIS NIEBRUGGE. LEFT TO RIGHT NEXT ARE COMMITTEE MEMBER JIM BRIAN, POSSE RIDE CHAIRPERSON CHERYL BRIAN, BLUE KNIGHTS CHAPLAIN BOB FERGUS, AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS PAM RIEMAN AND BILLIE BALES)

The 20th Annual Effingham County Sheriff's Posse Ride generated more than $7,000 for the Ballard Nature Center.

An ideal summer morning for the 110-mile ride led to a journey through Effingham, Jasper, Richland, Clay, Fayette and Marion counties. 100% of all funds raised each year are donated to the charity that is chosen for that year's ride. No proceeds are received by the Effingham County Sheriff's Department. There were two gun raffles, a 50/50 drawing, and event shirts were sold to support the cause.

The Sheriff's Posse Ride was founded by retired Sheriff Ron Meek in 1999. Sheriff Meek had a love for motorcycles and for his community, and combined the two to begin the Posse Ride. Retired Sheriff John Monnet and current Sheriff Dave Mahon chose to continue the event. Mahon was often one of the Illinois State Police motor officers that escorted the ride every year before retiring from ISP and being elected sheriff.

According to retired sheriff Meek, the Sheriff's Posse Ride has raised over $100,000 through the last 20 years for programs that help the citizens of Effingham County.