Hal's Harley-Davidson Celebrates 7th Annual Toast to Hope, Proceeds Benefit MDA's ALS Research Program

The Muscular Dystrophy Association has scheduled its 7th annual “Toast to Hope” benefit for Saturday, April 4 at Hal’s Harley-Davidson in New Berlin to raise funds for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease) research.

From 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., guests will have a chance to taste more than 40 different beers featured by W.O.W. Distributing and sample a tempting array of food from Milwaukee-area restaurants such as Bel’ Gustos, Claim Jumper, Senor Luna, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Maggiano's,Matty's Bar& Grille, Calhoun Station, Koozy's, Rupena's, Best Western-Maxwell's, and Texas Roadhouse.

Thanks to a dedicated partnership with Hal’s Harley-Davidson, this year’s “Toast to Hope” will top the $100,000 net mark in funds raised for MDA’s ALS research program.

“Hal’s Harley is very proud of our long association with MDA dating back to 1979,” dealership owner Kirk Topel said. “We have met many new friends and family right here in our community with life altering challenges. We are happy to help and bring a smile and a little hope through our efforts.”

“Toast to Hope” will encapsulate a “007- Casino Royale” theme and will offer two raffles and a live auction for guests to enjoy. Some items up for bid include an in-home gourmet dinner for eight, a Harley-Davidson Gas Tank signed by members of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers memorabilia and a Leinenkugel Canoe.

Live entertainment will be provided by local blues and classic hits band “The Steelheads,” and those embracing their inner biker for a night can have their photo taken on a Harley by Babboni Photography of West Allis.

Tickets for “Toast to Hope” are available for $25 in advance at Hal’s Harley Davidson or will be available at the door for $30. All proceeds benefit MDA’s ALS research initiative.

MDA (www.mda.org) is the world's largest provider of ALS services and the largest contributor to ALS research. Over the years, it has expended almost $250 million in this effort, operating 220 disease clinics across the United States, including 36 ALS-specific research and care centers.

MDA is a voluntary health agency supporting programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, advocacy and professional and public health education for muscular dystrophy and related diseases. The Association’s programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.