More than 40 motorcyclists revved their engines and rode 144 miles on Saturday to help Port Angeles teen Kayli Zink.

The Clallam County Mother’s Club raised more than $1,500 at its second Benefit Bike Run that began at the Oasis Bar & Grill in Sequim. The funds are to help Zink, 16, and her mother, Michelle, pay medical expenses after an accident on Feb. 13.

Zink fell out of a truck bed and broke three vertebrae in her back, requiring two, 10-inch rods, 10 screws and one steel mesh cage to repair the damage. She spent nine days at Harborview Medical Hospital in Seattle and has been back several times. The family has no medical insurance.

Michelle Zink was a bartender and knew many of the bikers. She lost her job prior to the accident. 

“It’s all because of their kindness we’re here,” Michelle Zink said. “I took care of them and now they are helping take care of us.”

Continued local support
Verna Yaun, president of the Mother’s Club, said last year’s event benefited Seattle Children’s Hospital and the members wanted to keep support local with Zink.

“She’s a sweet girl and has her whole life ahead of her,” Yaun said.

Zink said she is doing well and slowly recovering.

She’ll be a junior in the fall and hopes to go out for softball again as a senior.

Yaun said two men gave a significant undisclosed amount for Zink as a college scholarship. 

“It’s pretty cool,” Zink said. “I appreciate all this a lot.”

An account to help with medical expenses has been established at all First Federal branches under Kayli Zink.

Money raised from the benefit came from a dice playing card game.

Winners were Jim Roseph, highest total; Lonnie Clark, lowest total; and Bobby Yaun, Lonnie Turner and Scott Baker for people’s bike choice.

The Clallam County Mother’s Group’s next big event is its 19th annual Salvation Army Toy Run on Oct. 23.

For more information, call Verna Yaun at 460-5259 or Laura Anderson at 461-7509.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.