Print Article

11/7/2017 The Life O’Riley Memorial Ride Planning Committee and supporters recently presented a $3,000 check for the proceeds of the fourth annual event to benefit the Home Nursing Agency Healing Patch: A Program for Loss and Hope for Grieving Children and Their Families. The Life O’Riley Memorial Ride has raised more than $15,500 over the past four years to support children who are mourning the death of a loved one.

Held in July, the Fourth Annual Life O’Riley Memorial Ride event once again honored the memory of Michael Patrick Riley, who passed away unexpectedly in April 2013, leaving behind three young daughters.

“It was extremely important for our family to turn our loss into something positive for others,” shares Michael’s sister Nicole Riley Earhart, who has taken the lead in planning the event each year. Even though heavy rains and flooding forced a change in the planned route for this year, the committee quickly reverted to a back-up plan to use a route from a previous year.

The Fourth Annual Life O’Riley Memorial Ride Committee and supporters recently presented a $3,000 check to the Home Nursing Agency Healing Patch for grieving children. The ride annually honors the memory of Michael Riley and has raised more than $15,500 over the past four years. Pictured from left are Travis Hughes, Mark Earhart, Gwen Hamilton, Bob Brumbaugh, (back) Josh “Cash” Hinterberger, Steve “Panda” Wilt, Kelly Powers, James Pipetti, (front) Nicole Riley Earhart, Michael’s sister and Planning Committee co-chair; Kathy and Bernard Riley, Michael’s parents; Shealyn Riley, Michael’s daughter; Erin Masone, Riley family friend and Planning Committee co-chair, and Allison Stockley, manager of volunteers and bereavement services for Home Nursing Agency. Not pictured are Harry and Tina Irwin, Michael’s daughter Sofia Riley and stepdaughter Grace Eaton.

“We already have next year’s route planned,” Earhart shares. “We are also looking forward to honoring the life of Troy Hughes in addition to Michael.”

The Life O’Riley Memorial Ride seeks to honor a second person each year. If interested in sharing the name of someone who should be honored, email Earhart at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Fifth Annual Life O’Riley Memorial Ride is scheduled for Sat., July 25, 2018 at the 4D’s Lounge in Altoona, annual host for the event. For more information, visit the Life O’Riley Memorial Ride page on Facebook. 

About the Healing Patch
Home Nursing Agency started the Healing Patch: A Program for Loss and Hope for Grieving Children and Their Families in 2006 as a free peer support program for children and their families who have suffered the loss of a loved one, such as a parent, sibling, grandparent, or close family member. Since that time, the program has expanded to support children through in-school services, lending libraries and other community services. Sharing memories and experiences allows grieving children and families to discover that what they are going through is normal and that hope and healing are possible. The Healing Patch is a free service to the community and relies on individual and community donations, grants and fundraising events for support. If you would like to support the Healing Patch by donating or volunteering, please contact Home Nursing Agency at 1.800.445.6262 or www.homenursingagency.com. Home Nursing Agency is supported by the United Ways of Bedford County, Blair County, Huntingdon County and the Laurel Highlands.