DORAL | “Vroom, vroom” turned into “ca-ching, ca-ching” as 390 motorcyclists — donating a minimum of $25 per bike — raised more than $17,000 for Catholic Charities’ St. Luke’s Center.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski blesses riders and their bikes before setting off on his 12th annual Motorcycle Ride, held Jan. 28, 2024, starting from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral. The ride raised around $17,000 for St. Luke’s Substance Abuse Treatment Center, a Catholic Charities facility in Miami.

The event was the 12th annual Archbishop’s Motorcycle Ride, held on a warm Sunday morning, Jan. 28, 2024. It began with the traditional Mass celebrated by Archbishop Thomas Wenski at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral, followed by his blessing of participants and their motorcycles. (Watch a short video of the blessing here.)

The ride ended hours later at Peterson’s Harley-Davidson South in Cutler Bay, where the riders enjoyed some live entertainment and nourishment provided by food trucks.

During the Mass, the archbishop paid tribute to a longtime rider who passed away unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago: Ed Carrera.

Martha Velasquez, senior director of special events for the archdiocesan Office of Development, said the number of riders continues to grow each year — as does their involvement.

She noted that Manaty Transportation was this year’s presenting sponsor at the $5,000 level. The company’s owner, Manny Velazquez (no relation), started out as a $25 rider when the event began 12 years ago.

St. Luke’s Center offers alcohol and drug treatment services for adults with or without a mental health diagnosis. The program provides assessments, outpatient services, and short-term residential treatment for 30 days or more as needed.

For more information, go to Catholic Charities, ccadm.org, or contact St. Luke’s directly, at 305-795-0077 or stlukes@ccadm.org.

The Development Office can be reached at adomdevelopment.org, or 305-762-1053.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski takes the lead as 390 riders set off on the 12th annual Archbishop’s Motorcycle Ride, held Jan. 28, 2024, starting from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral. The ride raised around $17,000 for St. Luke’s Substance Abuse Treatment Center, a Catholic Charities facility in Miami.