Cochise County sheriff's charity ride set to stage Saturday; raffle, side-by-side grand prize to benefit Shop with a Cop and local groups

The Cochise County Sheriff's Office will stage its 13th annual charity ride Saturday, with registration at 7:00 a.m. at the Nissan dealership on Fry Boulevard and a parade-style pullout at 8:30 a.m., Sheriff Mark Danos said on KWCD's First Watch. Organizers expect roughly 500 participants and will hold a festival and check presentations after the ride, about 1:30 to 2:00 p.m.

The ride raises money the sheriff said is returned to local causes. "This money raised through the community and then put back 100% back into the community, to our 5 0 1 c," Danos said. Beneficiaries named during the broadcast include Shop with a Cop programs in Sierra Vista, Benson and Douglas; veterans groups; animal organizations; youth organizations such as Just Kids Inc.; Sierra Vista Kiwanis; a Wilcox youth organization; and proceeds for Bisbee coaster races.

Sponsors and partners listed include Ed Morse (auto group), Arizona the credit-union partner mentioned on the program, Spartan Armor Systems, Desert RV, Barnetts Towing, Cal Ranch, Lonnie Greer, Berg's, Law Tigers and University of Arizona affiliates; organizers said local businesses underwrite raffle prizes. Raffles will include large items with a stated retail floor of about $500 each and household items such as grills, smokers and gift cards. The broadcast highlighted a side-by-side vehicle valued at more than $40,000 that is on public display at Barnett's Towing; that vehicle will be a grand-prize raffle item and winners must be present to claim prizes.

Organizers said the ride funds are distributed through the sheriff's nonprofit vehicle and used year-round for community needs, including school and youth support. Danos noted the event's long history: "This is our thirteenth annual charity ride," and emphasized that local sponsors and volunteers are central to the program.

Tickets and raffle information are posted on the Cochise County Sheriff's Office web and social channels; the broadcast directed listeners to the sheriff's Facebook page and the Cochise County website for purchase and event details.

The sheriff thanked event organizers and partners and urged residents to attend, either by participating in the ride or returning in the afternoon for the festival and raffle drawings.