Nonprofit Calendar

* Saturday, Aug. 4, and Sunday, Aug. 5, Wisconsin’s Bike MS: Best Dam Bike Ride 2012 hits the road to raise funds toward a search for a cure for multiple sclerosis. In its 29th year, the event is expected to attract 2,000 cyclists and volunteers on a ride from the Milwaukee area to Madison with an overnight stay in Whitewater. Participants can choose among 50-, 75- and 100-mile routes and a new one-day 25-mile loop. All riders must be at least 12 years old. A minimum fundraising goal of $300 is required in addition to a $40 registration fee. The Wisconsin ride is part of the national Bike MS fundraising cycling series. For more information, visit bikewig.nationalmssociety.org.
* Thursday, Aug. 9, One Heartland and the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin are collaborating to raise money for their organizations at the 16th annual Dining Out For Life fundraiser. The all-day event, presented by WITI TV Channel 6, highlights more than 50 restaurants and bars in southeastern Wisconsin and the greater Milwaukee area that will donate a portion of their total sales from breakfast, lunch and dinner to the fundraiser. Money raised will directly support One Heartland and the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin. This is the first year that the two organizations are teaming up to raise money and awareness about their HIV/AIDS Support programs. For more information and a list of dining options, visit www.diningoutforlife.com/milwaukee.
* Thursday, Aug. 9, the third annual Rebuilding Dreams fundraiser will take place at Lakefront Brewery, 1872 N. Commerce St., Milwaukee. The event, which includes a concert, reception, dance and silent auction, will benefit Repairers of the Breach, Milwaukee’s only daytime shelter for the homeless. Proceeds will help the center build on its programs and services at its newly renovated complex. Tickets can be purchased for $60 at Salone, 925 E. Ogden Ave., Milwaukee, or at Repairers of the Breach’s administrative offices, 2819 W. Highland Ave., Milwaukee. For more information, visit www.repairers.org.
* Thursday, Aug. 9 and Friday, Aug. 17, the BloodCenter of Wisconsin and Milwaukee Irish Fest are holding a blood drive at the former Old Navy store in the Shops at Grand Avenue, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave. in downtown Milwaukee. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will benefit 6-year-old Jake Larkin, who was diagnosed with severe Aplastic Anemia last February. The rare condition, in which bone marrow does not produce enough blood cells, can only be cured with a bone marrow transplant. With the Larkin family’s Irish lineage, medical professionals believe they can find a compatible donor for Jake in the Irish community. The family is currently searching for a bone marrow match. A marrow registration will be held Saturday, Aug. 18, at Irish Fest at Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee. The marrow registration event will run from 12 noon to 4 p.m. in the cultural tent. For more information about marrow donor registration or to schedule your blood donation appointment, call BloodCenter of Wisconsin at (877) Be-A-HERO. All who donate or attempt to donate blood will receive a complimentary ticket to Irish Fest.
* Thursday, Aug. 16, Lynden Sculpture Garden will host its first annual fundraiser to profit Lynden’s education programs. The fundraiser, “Harry & Peg Bradley’s Backyard Barbecue,” runs from 5-8 p.m. at the Lynden Sculpture Garden, 2145 W. Brown Deer Road, River Hills. Tickets cost $45 per person and $100 per family (for children under 18 and up to two adults). The evening will feature a barbecue meal prepared by Braise, magic tricks by comedy-magician Ben Seidman, music, garden-themed silent auction packages, family-friendly art activities and more. For more information visit www.lyndensculpturegarden.org/bbq.