Harley Davidson Extends a Helping Hand

(Featured in the photo are Wade Adams and Terry Ruchti, co-owners of the Harley-Davidson of Carroll, at their building on Wednesday, Sept. 6. On Sunday, the business will host its 4th annual Marilyn Ruchti Golf Tournament at the Carroll Country Club.)

by: Sarah Stortz Courtesy: Carrolle Times Herald

Harley-Davidson of Carroll has kept a promise to “keep Carroll strong.” The local business, which deals with the well-known brand of American motorcycles, has started its push of giving back six years ago, co-owner Wade Adams said. The support not only comes from the staff, but their supporters, he said.

“When we say ‘we,’ it’s a community effort,” Adams said.

On Sunday, Harley-Davidson of Carroll will continue to give back through its annual Marilyn Ruchti Golf Tournament at the Carroll Country Club. All of the money raised from the tournament will go towards the St. Anthony Regional Hospital Cancer Center. 

The late Marilyn Ruchti, co-owner Terry Ruchti’s mother and the namesake of the golf tournament, passed away from cancer in 2019. 

Ruchti said his mother worked and volunteered for St. Anthony Regional Hospital. In one way or another, Ruchti said, cancer has impacted everybody. Ruchti said his father also passed away from cancer, recalling how he needed to drive him to Des Moines for treatment back then.

“It touches us all,” Ruchti said of the disease.

Having the hospital’s cancer center for almost three years, Adams said, it’s important for cancer patients to have those resources nearby.

“We’re fortunate to have something like that in this town,” Adams said. “We really are, it’s a blessing.”

Year-round, Harley-Davidson of Carroll also donates their time and resources to elevate other businesses.

Within the past three years, Wade said they’ve donated over 3,200 hours with their Facebook Lives to highlight other local businesses in the area.

“We’re very grateful to be a part of this community and be able to help when we can,” Adams said.

While approaching charitable causes to the community, Ruchti said, they try not to focus too much on the amount of money, but rather their actions.

“It’s never about the money, it’s what I can do to help,” Ruchti said.

Adams said they’ve also helped mentor other businesses with their digital footprint, helping them improve their social media presence. For some business owners, Adams said technology sometimes passes them by, allowing an opportunity to strengthen their online skills. 

“We kind of show some of the ins and outs of what we do and the benefit of it,” Adams said. “When you teach them how to read the demographics of what they’re doing and what their digital footprint looks like, it becomes a driving force of their business, because it shows them where they’re spending their money.”

Through their outreach program, Adams said they’ve found nearly half of Carroll businesses are generational, meaning they’re passed down from parent to child.

“That’s really, really nice to see, and it’s terrible when we see them close,” Adams said. “I think every business owner has a little bit of a responsibility to pitch in and help each other.”

Ruchti shared a similar sentiment.

“The whole bottom line in every business is in the same game,” Ruchti said. “If we lose one business, we all suffer, so the strength is to have all that knowledge together to grow the business and keep Carroll strong.”

Adams said complementary business practices are the best, where each establishment can work in harmony with each other.

“It’s really good when you can create a network of local businesses that edify each other instead of just openly competing,” Adams said. “There’s got to be a little bit of honor among men and women. When you can edify a business and help them reach their goals, all it does is create a stronger environment.”

Anyone who wishes to register a four-person team for the Marilyn Ruchti Golf Tournament can call 712-792-1610. They also accept donations.