Coaster lovers take marathon ride for good cause

Davis Wetterstroem and his daughter (front row), Elizabeth, enjoy
one of many rides taken Thursday, July 29, 2010, on the Racer roller coaster
at Kings Island. Wetterstroem, his family and 27 others plan to ride the
roller coaster for 10 hours, raising more than $2,500 for Give Kids the
World Village, a charity that benefits sick children and their families.
Staff photo by Apryl Pilolli

Staff photo by Apryl Pilolli Davis Wetterstroem and his daughter (front row), Elizabeth, enjoy one of many rides taken Thursday, July 29, 2010, on the Racer roller coaster at Kings Island. Wetterstroem, his family and 27 others plan to ride the roller coaster for 10 hours, raising more than $2,500 for Give Kids the World Village, a charity that benefits sick children and their families. Staff photo by Apryl Pilolli

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 9:28 AM Friday, July 30, 2010

MASON — Mike Albrycht of West Carrollton rode the Racer so many times on Thursday, July 29, that by 2 p.m. not being on a roller coaster felt unusual to him.

“I feel motion sick when we’re not moving,” Albrycht said as he took a quick water break between ride 72 and 73 on the Racer’s red car. “This is how life should be.”

Albrycht and a group of 30 other ambitious riders whose love of roller coasters were matched only by the size of their hearts rode the Racer roller coaster for 10 hours Thursday to raise money for ailing children.

Kings Island and the Racer played host to Coasting For Kids 2010. The marathon riding session was organized to raise money for Give Kids the World Village, a Florida-based nonprofit organization that provides week-long vacations to children with life threatening illnesses as well as their families.

Kings Island officials designated a special car specifically for the Coasting For Kids group, who were allowed to ride it continuously without waiting in line. By 2 p.m., the majority of riders had close to 70 trips that day under their belts and were shooting for 100 apiece.

“Our whole family loves amusement parks,” said David Wetterstroem of Galena, Ohio, who tackled the marathon coaster ride with his wife Nancy, and daughters Elizabeth and Katy. “To give other kids the chance to visit an amusement park by us riding roller coasters just seemed like a natural fit.”

Don Buckler, of Lebanon, raised $540 for the cause through soliciting friends and family and garnering Facebook donation.

“I’m feeling a little sore,” Buckler said. “But it never gets boring going on the ride.”

Don Helbig, spokesman for Kings Island, said that more than $2,500 had been raised at Kings Island for the Give Kids the World Village. Helbig said each Cedar Fair Park had held a similar event Thursday and combined raised more than $22,000 for the charity.

“The best seat is in the front row, next to my daughter,” said Wetterstroem, who had endeavored to try out each of the rides 20-plus seats during the day. “This event is about families. While the rides are great, its being with family and friends and helping out a good cause that really matters.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.

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