– The life of Silven 'Silvie' Yocum of Macomb will be remembered and celebrated at the annual Silvie's Ride Against Child Abuse, which is set for Saturday, June 14 at the Macomb Elks Lodge, 401 S. Deere Rd. The five-yearold died in September 2006 as a result of domestic violence. Silvie's Ride Against Child Abuse was established in 2015 by her grandfather, Jon Yocum, with proceeds going to area social service agencies.
Proceeds from the 2025 event will be split between three organizations, Western Illinois Regional Council-Victim Services, The Samaritan Well in Macomb and Safe Harbor Family Crisis Center in Galesburg, to further the scope and reach of the Knights Motorcycle Riding Club's fundraising efforts, as well as to raise awareness for other service agencies in the region. The motorcycle club has members from Macomb and west central Illinois all the way north to Kewanee, Illinois.
The annual memorial ride has raised close to $117,145 to date. The St. Augustine, Illinois-based Knights, of which Jon is a member, along with Erin's partner, Todd Mason, organize the annual event. Last year's event brought in over 100 bikes. Any type of motor vehicle – motorcycle, car, truck – is welcome to participate in the 165mile, six-hour ride.
'Silvie's Ride not only honors my granddaughter, it raises awareness for domestic violence,' Yocum said. 'While domestic violence will unfortunately most likely never go away, we can make a difference by making people aware.'
The June 14 event begins with a breakfast, which is open to the public ($10/person), from 7-10 a.m. Registration will be held from 8-10 a.m., $20 per vehicle and $5/passenger. A blessing of the bikes will be held at 10 a.m. and the ride will start at 10:30 a.m.
Participants return to the Elks at 4:30 p.m. for a dinner to wrap up the 2025 event. A silent auction will also be held at the conclusion of the ride.
The Knights are a social club, but with a largely philanthropic mission. They keep enough in the coffers to pay the club's overhead, but most of their money goes toward a variety of charitable causes. The members host at least five fundraising rides a year, as well as an Honor Flight Trivia Night. The club has raised enough money for an Honor Flight going out of Moline, Illinois that the flight has been named in the Knights' honor. 'Our mission is to pay it forward. Along with the Honor Flight, Silvie's Ride is one of our largest fundraisers,' added Damon Wright, club member and Silvie's Ride co-chair. 'If you don't want to ride in Silvie's Ride, please considering donating money and/or items for our silent auction for this important cause to raise awareness of domestic violence.'
The club is hoping that by extending their philanthropic reach to other organizations outside of Macomb that more riders from other regions will join the June 14 event.
Individuals and businesses interested in donating to the ride, either with a monetary gift and/or items for the silent auction; purchasing a t-shirt (by May 29), or volunteering at the June 14 event, should contact Wright at [email protected].
Cash, checks and Venmo are accepted, and club members can pick up donations at any location, including the Macomb Elks Club.
For more information, visit facebook. com/SilviesRideAgainstChildAbuse/ and tinyurl.com/KMClubFacebook.
