By MATT PIKE
Hundreds will come together on Sunday to celebrate the life of a six-year-old Savannah, Missouri, kid battled terminal cancer for most of his life.
The St. Joseph Chapter of Bikers for Christ Motorcycle Ministry M/M organized a benefit ride for six-year-old Oren and his family, but with his passing this week, the benefit ride has turned into a celebration of life. Oren fought terminal liver cancer for most of his life, on Tuesday, Oren passed away after his lengthy battle with the terminal cancer.
The 'Celebration of Life for Little O Man' will start at the Green Valley Church, located at 3110 Cook Road in St. Joseph, and will finish at the Savannah Fire Station at 107 South Highway 71 in Savannah on Sunday. Ride organizer Brett Kennedy Bikers for Christ Chapter Elder says Oren's family wants the event to continue to celebrate Oren.
The organizers want individuals who will be involved in the ride to be at the church by 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Organizers are expecting a big turnout for the parade, so local law enforcement officials told them that, because of safety and traffic concerns, the ride needs to be limited to those actually taking part in the ride itself.
Organizers said the ride will require Cook Road and Belt Highway to be completely shut down temporarily, as well as the entire northbound lanes of Business 71 from Cook Road to Savannah. The ride will include motorcycles, show cars and trucks and the MO Jeep Club. For those who want to be a part of the event, organizers are asking people to be at the fire station at 4 p.m.
Parking at the firehouse in Savannah will be limited to motorcycles. Show vehicles and Jeep Club members can park at Victory Chevrolet in Savannah. UTV and ATV parking will be provided in the grass area around the fire station. The public is asked to park on and around Main Street in Savannah.
There will be a silent auction with more than $6,000 in donated items as well as raffle tickets. A Cure for Cancer Drag car will also be in attendance, as well as a Monster Truck.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Transportation, St. Joseph Police Department, Buchanan County Sheriff's Office, Andrew County Sheriff's Office, Savannah Police Department, and the Savannah Fire Department are among the first responders and officials that are helping to make the ride possible.
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