By Nathan Duke
Staff Writer

Jackie Kuhn recently helped gather more than 60 people for an 86-mile motorcycle ride, but is not even old enough to drive yet.

Kuhn, 10, has taken part in the Walk for Multiple Sclerosis for the four years since her mother, Kathy Kuhn, was diagnosed with the disease.

Jackie Kuhn and her father, Ken Kuhn, prepare to leave for the 86-mile ride for multiplesclerosis from Manchester Harley-Davidson. (Nathan Duke Photo)

Two years ago, Jackie began her own multiple sclerosis team - the Candia Crusaders, which now has 81 members. In the past four years, she has personally raised $9,000. Her team, in the two years since it was founded, has raised more than $36,000.

This year, Jackie convinced Manchester's Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) to take part in a ride for multiple sclerosis, which began at Manchester Harley-Davidson and ended at the Candia Masonic Hall on South Road on Saturday, July 30. About 62 motorcycles took part in the event, many of which had more than one rider.

Jackie, who will be a fifthgrader at Henry W. Moore School this fall, rode in the event with her father, Ken Kuhn, on his motorcycle. He joined the Manchester chapter last year.

"I thought it was important for her to do the ride after she took so much time organizing it," said her mother.

Jackie visited the Harley chapter in March and read a nine-page speech in front of 80 members, inviting them to take part in the ride.

Registration for "Cruising with the Crusaders" began at 9 a.m. on July 30, and attendees helped themselves to coffee and doughnuts. The ride began around 10 a.m. and ended at Candia's Masonic Hall, where a barbecue for the riders took place.

Kathy Kuhn said much of the food from the barbecue was donated by local businesses, while other businesses donated gift certificates for a raffle. Money from the raffle will go toward multiple sclerosis research.

Stonyfield Farm donated yogurt to the barbecue, while Wal-Mart gave water and Manchester's Coca Cola donated five cases of soda.

Prizes in the raffle included a $50 gift certificate to Manchester's Holy Smokes and an overnight stay at the Sheraton Hotel.

Jackie has been recognized as the top fundraiser for Manchester's multiple sclerosis walk this year. Patrick Bolton, another Moore student who is in the same grade as Jackie, was the fifth highest earner.

Kathy Kuhn said her daughter has dedicated a significant amount of time fundraising for multiple sclerosis and taking part in related activities in the last few years.

"She has spent so much time with letter-writing campaigns and going door to door to raise money," she said.

To get donations for the motorcycle ride, Jackie and her mother recently visited a number of businesses for donations, and Jackie sent faxes to 36 others. Jackie spoke to H.O.G. members again two weeks ago about the event.

"I told them I hope it doesn't rain and I took a head count of how many people were planning on going," she said.

At that meeting, H.O.G. Chapter 1294 President Bruce Witte asked each member to bring two people with them.

Janet Buell, a H.O.G. member and publicist for the event, said the combination of Jackie's team and the Harley chapter was an obvious match.

"We have a lot of (chapter) members with multiple sclerosis, so this event kind of hits close to home," she said. Jackie recently received a $1,000 grant from Sam's Club, as well as grant money from Wal-Mart and several other companies.

In addition, she has been given a $5,000 college scholarship from Kohl's. In 2004, Kohl's recognized 10 national finalists who have done exemplary work to educate others about multiple sclerosis through its Kids Who Care program, of which Jackie was one.

She has also spoken on several occasions to Moore classmates about the disease. "It's just amazing how she has been able to teach other kids about the disease," said her mother.