After raising $8,900 last year at the Gant Mafia 3rd Annual Benefit Ride, organizer John Zorn is ready to up the ante this year and raise $11,000.

In its first year, the mafia raised $10,734, but bad weather last year put a damper on fundraiser.

“It rained pretty bad all day last year during the ride,” Zorn said. “Usually we will have 75 to 80 bikes out there, but not as many people showed up because of the rain.”

This is the mafia’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and all of the proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

“We do this because it is a great foundation,” Zorn said. “We all get to come out and have a great time. It is a big fundraiser for us.”

There will be $5 lunch plates at the fundraiser as well as live entertainment from Phillip McClung and Scott Rodgers.

“They are always entertaining,” Zorn said. “They have played the past years and every one has enjoyed them.”

Zorn said that attendees don’t have to ride a motorcycle to participate .

“We have plenty of people that will sign up that don’t ride motorcycles,” Zorn said. “You can just bring your truck out there and drive behind us and enjoy the festivities.”

Ride registration begins on Sat., April 6, at 8 a.m., and it is $25 per bike. At 10:30 a.m., kickstands are up and there will be door prizes at all stops.

This year the vendors will open at 9 a.m., and there will be an auction at 5 p.m., for a Henry Golden Boy Gun for raffle. Raffle tickets are $5.

There will also be $20 benefit shirts and hats.

Zorn said that the best part about the entire ride is having fun with family and friends.

For more information about the 4th Annual Benefit Ride held at Cypress Landings, contact Zorn at 334-488-9713. If anyone is interested in being a vendor or wants to pre-order shirts, contact Norma at 334-804-1964, Julie at 334-504-5646 or Ladonna at 334-488-0053.