Thanks to the generosity of var-
ious sponsors such as Troy Lee
Designs,
Team Swolen, Down/
Up Design, 100 Percent, Feld
Entertainment, FMF, Swap Moto
Live, Factory Effex, Pro-Circuit,
Kicker, DeCal Works, 101Bikes,
AvidMX graphics, Rockwell Time,
Matrix Concepts and Fasthouse,
there was enough merch to fill
three pickup trucks. Additionally,
substantial cash donations to
the Big Air Kid's Fair Shining Star
Fund allowed for the purchase of
every item on the hospital's "wish
list." These are "feel good" items
that typically fall outside of the
hospital budget constraints but
are just what the doctor ordered,
according to Bauer.
Bauer expressed his grati
-
tude: "The support from the
moto
industry, riders, racers and
friends has been overwhelm-
ing. This event has always
been
about instant gratification
for the patients, their families
and the dedicated caregivers
at the hospital…we make sure
everyone gets something. I'm
hopeful that it's helped change
the public's perception of dirt
bikers and motorcyclists in
general. Several friends have
mentioned that doctors at Loma
Linda show more empathy and
are much less judgmental than
those at other hospitals. We feel
privileged to be here and appre
-
ciate the hospital allowing us to
do
something for these young
warriors. We have all spent time
in the hospital and couldn't wait
to get out. Most of us now have
children of our own, and our
hearts go out to everyone here."
This project holds significant
meaning for Bauer, and witness
-
ing the children's smiles makes
all
the hard work worthwhile.
Bauer said from the event, "I
want to thank all my friends
who donated to support this
project from the bottom of
my heart—you know who you
are. Huge props to the many
companies listed who donated
products to the cause, some of
them from day one. I also owe a
debt of gratitude to my friends
who came from out of state to
be here and help, some from
as far away as Kentucky. I have
to say that these crazy FMX
riders are some of the coolest,
most genuine people I have ever
known, and the patients loved
them. Lastly, I want to thank
Nancy and Bristol for spending
an entire day shopping for wish
list items from multiple stores
until they got everything and my
daughter, Gabbi, for coming all
the way from Boston to be here."
All the riders were humbled
and expressed their desire to re
-
turn next year. Having organized
this event
for over 20 years, Bau-
er says it feels too good to quit.
Donations, both monetary and
product,
enable the continuation
of this event. Those interested
in contributing to future events
can contact Steve Bauer directly
at www.bigairkidsfair.com. The
Big Air Kid's Fair Shining Star
Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable
organization.
Zenobia Wallace
VOLUME 62 ISSUE 4 JANUARY 28, 2025 P49
(Left) Dr. Adrian
Cotton, Chief
of Medical
Operations,
LLUH, and BAKF
founder Steve
Bauer hosted the
14th running of
the BAKF. (Right)
It was a day of
smiles for all
the Loma Linda
Children's Hospital
patients.
