Raising Funds & Hope, One Mile at a Time Memorial Day Weekend
Join us as we send off our very own, Max Orsini, and his loyal companion, Gnocchi, in their Ural sidecar motorcycle, Kalinka, on their second annual Ride4LifeNW journey. Kendall Imports of Bend Sales Manager and Transplant Survivor, Max Orsini, founded Ride4LifeNW in 2025 to spread awareness and fundraise for kidney disease, heart conditions, cancer, and the animals that get left behind during this challenging time. Since last year’s journey, Max has received #501(c)(3) status and more partners to change the lives of those impacted by these medical challenges. This year, Max & Gnocchi are keeping the movement going with the second annual journey, Honor & Donor.
Join us at TWO events to send Max & Gnocchi off on their ride and celebrate their journey as they return.
(Event #1) MAY 22nd, 2026 – RIDE4LIFE NW SEND OFF EVENT!
- Audi Bend (1045 SE 3rd St, Bend, OR, 97702)
- 5:00pm – 6:30pm
- Join us with Max & Gnocchi for a send-off celebration with Kendall staff and families, community members, and Ride4Life NW Partners, including Street Dog Hero, the Humane Society, and Cascade Life Alliance. Sponsors such as BeGOAT and Cascade Lakes Brewing will be offering beverages, with light bites provided by Kendall Central Oregon. Cascade Lakes Brewing has developed a commemorative Italian Pilsner and will be donating a portion of the sales to the Ride4Life NW movement. Get ready for real stories, donor and transplant hero recognition, a Guinness World Record Reveal, silent auction, and connection with our community!
MAY 23 – 24th – MAX & GNOCCHI HIT THE ROAD
Max & Gnocchi, accompanied by any community members who are welcome to join, will take off from Kendall Imports of Bend at 8:30am on Saturday, May 23rd. They will head from Bend to Hood River via Shaniko, entering the past. From Hood River, on May 24th, they will be traveling down the Columbia Gorge with a focus of gratitude for donors. Max & Gnocchi will travel this road until they hit Seaside, taking a moment for reflection and remembrance. They will travel down the coastline to Newport before heading home on Monday, May 25th, Memorial Day. Before leaving the Coast, Max & Gnocchi plan on honoring those who served, including veterans and their families. They will begin their trek home via Highway 20, where the Ride4Life NW Guinness World Record attempt will be officially announced. The journey resembles a return to the beginning, a commitment to what comes next, and a line drawn forward for service.
(EVENT #2) May 25th, 2026 – RIDE4LIFE NW FULL CIRCLE CELEBRATION & WELCOME BACK PARTY
- Cascade Lakes Brewing (21175 SE Reed Market Rd, Bend, OR, 97702)
- 4:oopm – 8:00pm
- Join us in welcoming Max & Gnocchi home from their journey at Cascade Lakes Brewing! Get ready to hear about Max & Gnocchi’s impactful adventure, enjoy a special Italian-style Pilsner where a portion of the proceeds will support the Ride4LifeNW Mission, and celebrate with live music and special guests.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Ride4Life NW provides financial support for life-saving medical treatments and the care of pets whose families are in crisis. Every 8 minutes, someone is added to the transplant waiting list. Ride4Life NW exists to create more “YES” moments. Additionally, Ride4Life has launched the “No Dog Left Behind Program,” which protects pets during medical crisis by coordinating foster care and shelter support and helping reunite families after recovery. Max & Gnocchi are dedicating this journey to those who gave, and those who are still waiting.
For more information, please visit https://ride4lifenw.com/home
