By Sue Moore
Just after the Hearty Hustle foot race was run in Vicksburg in May, over 193 motorcycles roared into downtown for the sixth running of the Bub’s 73 bike benefit.
This annual event raises money for the Bub’ 73 Foundation, established by the Hildebrand family in honor of their son Chad “Bubba” who passed away suddenly at age 36.
Bikers pay $20 to ride 117 miles of back roads in Southwest Michigan. The Zuu radio station donates air time in Hildebrand’s honor to publicize the event.
The Foundation, which has given back over $70,000 to the Vicksburg Community, has two fundraisers, the Benefit Ride in May and the golf outing the first Saturday in June at Pine View golf course.
Bubba played golf and had a motorcycle so the fundraising events are tied to the things he liked to do, said his mother, Kathy McCormick.
The Foundation first started supporting Sunset Elementary because that’s where McCormick’s sons went to school. Then their support expanded to Generous Hands. The more they got into it, the more needs they saw.
Kids’ Connection, sports sponsorships and high school scholarships also receive funds from the Foundation. Indian Lake received $2,000 to help with their track
“We try to let it be known if there is a need for funding and then we try to help,” McCormick said.
The goal is to keep the money in Vicksburg or related to someone in the community.
Volunteers donate their time including Bubba’s brother, Cy, who works very hard with the Foundation but lives in Indianapolis. He comes to town for all of the events and takes care of the communications for the Foundation, including awarding the Bubs 73 scholarship to a deserving high school senior.