Charity Ride for Marshfield Children's Hospital was Saturday

Monday, July 28th, 2025 -- 8:00 AM

(Brayden Dobbe, WSAW) The 11th annual ‘Charity Ride’ took place at the Marshfield Children’s Hospital on Saturday.

According to Brayden Dobbe with WSAW, around 140 motorcycles participated in this year’s ride. The bikers paid a $20 fee to follow Santa to the hospital.

The ‘Christmas in July’ Charity puts all of the proceeds back into the presents that Santa brings to the kids, or towards improving the Children’s Hospital in Marshfield.

“This year, Santa Greg is working on funding our remodel of our P.T. (physical therapy) and O.T. (occupational therapy) gyms,” Marshfield Children’s Hospital Child Life Specialist, McKenzie Tischauer said.

“We kind of give the information needed for these donors to see where their money is going, and also just highlight some of the kids that have tremendous stories that have been impacted by Santa Greg and his fundraising.”

Christmas in July’s Santa, Greg Cemke, can relate to the kids. Cemke was involved in a major all-terrain vehicle accident when he was younger. “I’m like these kids,” Cemke said, “These are miracle kids here today. I’m a miracle Santa because I’m not supposed to be here either.”

Cemke says that the ‘Christmas in July’ charity provides a change of pace from the constant stress and nervousness that the kids have to work through in a hospital setting. The kids Cemke helps have even expressed their gratitude towards his actions.

“What he said was, ‘All I wanted to do was be in Santa Greg’s life.’ That was the most impactful thing that... that a child has said to me,” Cemke said. “I’ve had many things, but him saying that he wanted to be part of my life was very, very special.”

Six kids were able to go around and select presents at the hospital, with four kids sharing their stories with the donors. The hospital says that hundreds of kids are reached by Christmas in July each year.

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