In July 2006, Pat Barron’s sister Kacie was shot and killed by an ex-boyfriend who committed this brutal act of domestic violence after Kacie refused to rekindle their abusive relationship.  Pat felt shock, pain, and rage upon learning of his sister’s death.  Pat could of turned his grief to revenge against the perpetrator. Fortunately for the victims of domestic violence, Pat made a different choice.

Pat decided to honor his sister and try to make sense out of Kacie’s senseless murder.  Pat created Kacie’s Ride for Hope, now in its 6^th year.  Kacie’s Ride is a day-long motorcycle ride through Hope Valley with the goal of educating the biker community about domestic violence and raising much needed funds for The Center for Violence-Free Relationships, the domestic violence center that supported Kacie and with Pat’s help can save others.

Donations raised through Kacie’s Ride for Hope help The Center serve victims of domestic violence in our community with counseling, help with the legal system, providing emergency shelter, and to educate our children and our community in the hopes of preventing this violence in the first place.  In addition, Kacie’s Ride for Hope helps The Center provide intervention programs for men and women to teach them how to recognize and eliminate abusive patterns and behaviors and learn about creating healthy and violent free relationships.

Recently, Pat commented, “The death of my sister affected everyone in my family.  The piece missing from our lives will never be replaced.”  It is my sincerest hope that our community will once again come together to support and honor Pat for making the choice to turn tragedy into triumph.

The 6th annual Kacie’s Ride for Hope to End Domestic Violence will be held on September 10, 2011.  To participate in this inspiring event, or to make a donation to support Pat and his work with The Center, contact Pat at www.kaciesrideforhope.com or call Pat or Sharon at 530-626-8405.