Helping families and children with Type 1 Diabetes is the goal the annual Chad Erickson Memorial Thunder Ride for Juvenile Diabetes on July 26.

The ride takes off at 10:30 a.m. from Rod's Ride On Powersports on the southside of La Crosse. From there, they head across the river to the Minnesota side before taking a break for lunch.

After eating, it's back on the road where the ride ends at Schwertel Family Farms in Trempealeau. There's a silent auction and giveaways at the farm.

Neil Williams, Director for the Thunder Ride, visited La Crosse Talk on Thursday. He said that the money raised helps families here at home.

"That's the beautiful thing about our organization. 100-percent of the proceeds stay local. So, we can truly say that they're staying in the La Crosse area, local Tri-State area, in the Coulee Region."

The Thunder Ride website says that there are more than 200 children in need of care due to Type 1 Diabetes.

The money raised goes towards helping with medical bills, supplies, and more, Williams said.

"Insulin pumps, test strips, whatever is really associated with Type 1 Diabetes. There's also diabetic camps that these kids can go to which is an outstanding thing. It helps children that have this realize that they're not alone by any sense of the imagination. So we contribute some money towards that. There's lots of things it can go to," Williams said.

There are plenty of people who have participated in the ride since the beginning, Williams said, but always some new families that come out and say they've been helped by the funds raised through the ride.

People interested in taking part in the ride can register online now. Click here to register.

Williams said you don't have to have a motorcycle take part in the Thunder Ride. They've had people with classic cars and convertibles come along.

If you're not able to attend, they accept financial donations on the Thunder Ride website.

Since the ride began 23 years ago, they've raised nearly $700,000 to support families.