UTICA — The Oneida Chapter of Shot Gun Law Enforcement Motorcylce Club (LEMC) presented the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with a donation of $3,400 on Thursday, Oct. 27. The annual G-O’s NICU ride was held on Saturday, Sept. 10, with proceeds benefiting Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals at MVHS. 

Officials with Shot Gun LEMC say the organization holds the MVHS NICU close to their hearts since chapter president Matt Acee’s son was prematurely born at St. Luke’s in 2019. As a result of the care Matt’s family received during this emotional and stressful time, Shot Gun LEMC agreed to start a yearly motorcycle ride to help benefit local NICUs and support other local families who go through a similar experience. 

After spending two weeks in the NICU, G-O was finally allowed to go home to his family. During their hospital stay, it became clear to Matt and his wife, Shian, that there were several newborns in the NICU as well as mothers that would stay overnight if they could. Upon noticing the need for certain items for both parents and their newborns, Matt and Shian purchased certain items to donate to the NICU. After settling G-O into his new home, Matt spoke with other Shot Gun LEMC members about setting up an annual charitable motorcycle ride to raise funds for local NICUs. 

“This year’s ride was a huge success and thanks to the generosity of the event organizers and participants, donations increased by 80 percent from the prior year,” said Debra Wainwright, development specialist & CMN program director of the MVHS Foundation. “Real miracles are happening every day at MVHS.” 

Activities included raffles, silent auctions and music, in addition to the main event, the ride.

To learn more about how businesses or groups can become involved with the MVHS Foundation, contact Debra Wainwright at 315-624-5619 or visit: mvhealthsystem.org/CMN