Michelle Alvarez

"Avid motorcyclist David DiNicola of Middlefield, New York, revved up his Harley Davidson on Saturday, August 13 for The Strong in Spirit ten-day journey across the country to raise money for rescued animals.  Starting from Massachusetts David is riding across 10 states in 10 days ending in Eureka, California.

David DiNicola

David wanted to do something to honor the legacy of his late German Shepherd, KaDee, who brought so much joy to his life during her 16 years. “KaDee had such gumption for life – the same gumption that I see when I look into the eyes of rescued animals still waiting for their forever home,” said David who hopes to raise $100,000 to be split between two animal organizations: Catskill Animal Sanctuary and  the Berkshire Humane Society.

The Berkshire Humane Society is where KaDee was adopted as a puppy and an organization that David has been involved with ever since. Catskill Animal Sanctuary, located in Saugerties, New York, rescues 12 species of farm animals from life or death situations. David first heard of Catskill Animal Sanctuary when he picked up a book, Where the Blind Horse Sings by Kathy Stevens, the sanctuary’s founder and director – the first book, he says, he has ever read from start to finish. The book compelled him to visit the sanctuary where he met numerous animals who changed his perceptions about farm animals forever.

"Everyone can do something to make a difference. I am a motorcyclist, that's what I do; and I found a way to turn that into an opportunity to help animals who I deeply care about," said DiNicola. "You don't have to devote your life to a cause, but we all need to find something that grabs at our heart and then we need to find a way to help. This is my way."

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