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Photo by Travis Pratt
In July 2008, Steve Levow formed a motorcycle racing team called Patriot Racing.
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Urbana -- Steve Levow found a way to combine his love for motorcycles and his dedication to serving his country to help a good cause.In July 2008, Levow formed a motorcycle racing team, Patriot Racing. Through sponsors and donations, Levow hopes to raise $10,000 for the Fisher House, a nonprofit organization that supports military families. Levow heard of the Fisher House in August 2003 when he returned from a six-month deployment as a civilian contractor in Iraq. "It really struck a chord with me," he said. "I wanted to do something to contribute personally." Levow, 38, served in the Marine Corps for three years during Desert Storm. He said he has been racing motorcycles since he was 8 years old. Along with his stepfather, John Porter, Levow races in the Championship Cup Series and competes all over the Mid-Atlantic. Last weekend, Patriot Racing traveled to Kershaw, S.C., for the first race of the season. The team raised $500 for the Fisher House by holding a raffle. Even racers from other teams pledged to donate some of their winnings. So far, Patriot Racing has raised more than $1,600 for the cause. Some of the money is raised through sponsors who donate per lap, or according to how well the team finishes. However, a majority of the funds are raised through flat donations, Levow said. "It's just easier to do that way, I think," he said. Levow thinks support for his cause is growing. "As I talk to more people about the Fisher House and our goals, the more responsive people get," he said. "Once one person acts, that seems to spur other people to do so." In addition to raising money for the Fisher House, Patriot Racing is hosting three groups of combat-wounded veterans from Walter Reed at Championship Cup Series races at Summit Point Motorsports Park in West Virginia on May 25, July 5 and Aug. 30. Donators are providing souvenirs for the veterans at the event, including T-shirts and posters -- "something we can give them to show that we haven't forgotten them," Levow said. "We're very much looking forward to that."
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