GERMANTOWN NEWS

Donate a stuffed animal to Germantown police and get a free pass to a 125-mile motorcycle ride event

Cathy Kozlowicz
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Germantown Police Department is collecting 8- to 12-inch stuffed animals until Aug. 7. Each donation will be good for a free ticket to join a group for a 125-mile motorcycle ride throughout Washington County on Aug. 14.

Law enforcement, firefighters and first responders often carry stuffed animals in their vehicles to calm children in tragic events.

Now, the Germantown Police Department is collecting 8- to 12-inch stuffed animals until Aug. 7 at the police lobby, N112 W16877 Mequon Road.

Each donation will be good for a free ticket to join a group for a 125-mile motorcycle ride throughout Washington County on Aug. 14. The ride begins at 8 a.m. with registration, free coffee and doughnuts.

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According to an announcement posted on the Germantown Police Department Facebook page, the ride is scheduled to include various stops at local fire and police departments with a closing ceremony and picnic at the West Bend Moose Lodge, 1721 Chestnut St.

The West Bend and Hartford Harley Owners Groups and West Bend Harley are coordinating the event and the stuffed animal drive. The event is in memory of Steve Hoogester, a long-term veteran of the West Bend Police Department and former alderman for the city of West Bend. The Green Bay Press-Gazette reported that Hoogester died in a hunting accident in November.

For more information about the event, visit the Germantown Police Department Facebook page or email hoogiebearbikeride@outlook.com.

Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy.