Question ? When does a lion ride a snowmobile?
Answer? When it’s for charity.
The Lake Orion and Clawson Lions Clubs are teaming for a charity snowmobile run through the Upper Peninsula from Feb. 15 through 21.
Lake Orion and Clawson Lions members, along with anyone else who wishes to ride subject to club approval, will pay $1,000 each to participate in an 822-mile round trip starting from and ending in Grand Marais, on the shore of Lake Superior.
The trip will take riders through Ishpeming, Baraga, Eagle Harbor and Silver City in the Porcupine Mountains. Riders will spend the night at each stop in prearranged lodgings.
“The scenery is unbelievable,” said event organizer and Oxford resident Marty Airriess, of the Lake Orion Lions Club. “We’re going through some of the most beautiful places in Michigan. It’s gorgeous country.”
One of the trip’s highlights will be seeing Mt. Arvon, the highest point in the state, Airriess said.
Each rider must collect a minimum of $250 from sponsors to participate in the event. Sponsors can donate money by the mile or pay a flat rate.
Between six and 10 riders are tentatively signed up for the trip, Airriess said.
A number of local businesses have signed on as corporate sponsors (a $150 minimum donation) including Kalloway’s Restaurant and Pub (of Oxford), the Wagon Wheel Bar and Ed’s Broadway Gifts (both of Lake Orion), The Hamlin Pub (of Orion) and John Burt GMAC Realty (of Oxford and Orion).
Other corporate sponsors include Savers Printing and Promotional Products (of Royal Oak), Joe Pizik Electric (of Troy), Angel Trucking (of Clawson), Renshaw’s Lounge (of Clawson), Roche Bobois (of Novi) and Great Lakes Road Testing (of Washington and Troy).
The Lions will also be raising money by selling hats and can coolers featuring the event logo on them at various locations around the area including Kalloway’s, Hamlin Pub and the Wagon Wheel.
All proceeds from the ride will benefit Leader Dogs for the Blind, Michigan Eye Bank, Penrickton Center, Lions Blind Youth Camp, Beaumont Silent Children Fund, Madonna University Lions Hearing Fund and many other Lions charities.
“They’re all great causes the Lions Club supports,” Airriess said.
To join or sponsor the ride call Marty Airriess at (248) 628-8872.