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AUSTINTOWN -- Helping families whose children are battling cancer, Ashlin's Alliance does twice the amount of work to put on twice the number of events.
The 501(c)3 public charity organized Shave Youngstown in March, which raised nearly $100,000 for childhood cancer research through the international St. Baldrick's Foundation, and for the third year it hosted the Ladybug Run, which finds Mahoning and Shenango Valley motorcyclists coming together to raise funds.
Saturday's event at Biker Brewhouse Taproom & Grill in Austintown had more than 120 participants, 81 bikes and more than $7,000 in donations.
"Bikers have had bad reputations. So, when we see them come together to support an organization or a kid that they've never met, it means a lot," said Jason Cottrill, founder and executive director for Ashlin's Alliance. "I've realized personally that for the biker groups, they want to ride and be charitable and donate to people, and I think that's great. The whole bike community has really been the driving force behind us."
Fellow organizer Alexa Nickell added, "Bikers are some of the most generous, kind, caring and fun people here in the Mahoning Valley. When the groups saw what we were trying to do, they rolled up their sleeves and went to work right alongside us to make it happen.
"Since then, we have gained a whole big biker family extension in Ashlin's Alliance. No matter what problem needs solved, they show up every single time for our kids. They truly are angels in leather vests."
The Ladybug Run originated when Cottrill, Nickell and Burton "Skeeter" Baird met and discussed how much Shave Youngstown had grown and a desire to do more for those affected by pediatric cancer. Cottrill wanted to create a nonprofit in his niece Ashlin's memory, who passed away from cancer as an infant. A rider herself, Nickell brought up how motorcycle clubs have bike runs with money going to various charities.
Its debut moved Ashlin's Alliance from an idea to reality as well as helped three families. "We chose to have it in September because it is Childhood Cancer Awareness month," explained Nickell, "and also Jason's niece, Ashlin's birthday was Sept. 17. So, we always hold it the Saturday closest to her birthday."
The ladybug is the run's symbol because of Cottrill's family associating it with Ashlin.
Renamed Ladybug Run & Family Fun Day, Nickell said, "The run itself is actually a 2 for 1 event. The bikers ride, and while we're gone, family day begins between Biker Brewhouse and Quaker Steak & Lube for families with loads of activities for kids to enjoy. When the bikers arrive back from their run, the two events combine. Even if you come as strangers, you leave our events as friends."
Inflatable activities, live music, as well as food, brews and basket raffles made it a party for all ages.
"The treatments, the process of getting through pediatric cancer can be an incredibly isolating experience for both the kids and their families," she said. "We are aiming for a sense of community coming together and showing these families, 'We're here. You aren't in this fight alone.'"
With Ashlin's Alliance's motto of "Medicine treats cancer. We treat families," Cottrill pointed out that the Ladybug Run money has been used for immediate needs such as food and gas gift cards as well as connecting parents who previously coped with the disease to those who are now dealing with it.
After nearly four hours on the road that took them to Colebrook Lounge in Orwell and back, Y-103 DJ "Fast Freddie" Woak commented, "We saved one of the best runs of the season for last. This run is special to a lot of people because it helps those locally who are dealing with childhood cancer. I can't think of anything that would be tougher for a parent to go through and to be able to make it a little easier in some way for them is really great."
Everyone gathered at the Biker Brewhouse where they celebrated a safe and successful run. The bikers also checked in and presented all the "ladybugs" collected along the way.
"Most runs you go to are poker runs or dice runs," explained Nickell. "We wanted to stand out."
Rather than drawing a card or rolling the dice, participants collect "ladybugs" that are glued to a 3D printed leaf. Each color is worth a different point value.
"This is how you build your 'swarm,'" she said. "The person whose Swarm is worth the highest score is the winner and receives a $500 cash prize."
Offering an indication of the spirit of the run, when discussing the swarm, one biker told another that if he won, he'd give the money back to Ashlin's Alliance.
For Cottrill, Nickell and Baird, there's little time to celebrate Saturday's event. The three organizers will soon prepare for the 2027 Shave Youngstown event, which has been rebranded as Shave the Valley due to its growth in the region. It takes place March 13 at Penguin City Brewing.