Griffen & Firestone Walker Brewery's sponsorship of the first annual Ride for Hope benefiting the City of Hope and Leukemia research saw 50 participants of all ages and abilities ride through the Santa Ynez Valley on January 15, 2005. The metric century ride began at 9:00am and will be held as an annual event on the first Saturday of January. The course and the date had been changed because of weather conditions, but the strong support of local riders raised $2,500 to date in spite of the obstacles. The Ride for Hope was inspired by Donna L. Free, co-owner of Griffen and cancer-survivor, who sought treatment at the City of Hope Cancer Center.