Father-son team raise funds for prostate cancer and men’s mental health research

11-year-old Harlan Morreale stands beside a motorcycle and some of his planetary paintings in front of The Market House on Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston
SHEPHERDSTOWN — A couple of local “distinguished gentlemen” took their places on the back of a vintage motorcycle Sunday morning, joining 191 other riders for an hour-long drive through the Washington, D.C. area.
According to 11-year-old Harlan Morreale, who rode with his father, David Morreale, the ride was a way to do good with other classic and vintage motorcycle enthusiasts.
“They’re raising funds for research for men’s prostate cancer and mental health,” Harlan said of The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2023. “This is my first time doing the ride. This is my dad’s first time doing the ride, too, so it’s new for both of us.”
To help meet his and his father’s $1,000 fundraising goal, Harlan made a variety of acrylic planetary paintings, which he displayed, along with a donation jar, in front of The Market House on Saturday.
“Any donation gets a free painting. Any donation over $50 gets one of my large paintings,” Harlan said, noting that his father had raised half of the fundraising goal online, prior to this final fundraising effort. “I did all the paintings myself!

11-year-old Harlan Morreale created these and other paintings for his fundraiser on Saturday in front of The Market House. Tabitha Johnston
“The space art theme was a trend on YouTube for a few months. After the trend started to die down, I decided that I might as well try it. I tried it, and I loved it, so now I do it!” Harlan said. “This is my first time doing super abstract art — my dad suggested I try something newer that I hadn’t tried [before], to add to the other paintings.”
His father, who is an 11th grade English teacher in Loudon County, noted how proud he was of the work Harlan had put into his paintings.
“Harlan does all of these great universe paintings!” David said. “Next year, we’re going to be doing a show at Evolve with all of his paintings.”
By early Saturday afternoon, the fundraiser had helped the pair reach within $300 of their fundraising goal and meet people who had been personally impacted by the health concerns, for which the ride proceeds were being donated.
“There have been some people who have given us donations, who have said, ‘My husband died from prostate cancer’ or ‘My husband has prostate cancer,'” Harlan said. “I’m glad that there are people who still have lots of selflessness in them, so that they create and participate in events like this.”
According to The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2023 website, similar motorcycle rides were taking place on Sunday around the globe, raising funds for the Movember Foundation, which supports prostate cancer research and awareness and men’s mental health. The ride claims to be “the world’s largest and most stylish charitable motorcycle event,” for which participants dress to impress, in both their apparel and motorcycle choices.
“The motorcycle we’re riding tomorrow was the first motorcycle I ever rode on, when I was 11. The guy who owned it was my hero as a boy. Five years ago — maybe 30 years after I last saw him — he called me up and said, ‘Go get the Harley, it’s in Virginia, it’s all yours,” David said. “So the Harley I rode for the first time is going to be his first!”
- 11-year-old Harlan Morreale stands beside a motorcycle and some of his planetary paintings in front of The Market House on Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston
- 11-year-old Harlan Morreale created these and other paintings for his fundraiser on Saturday in front of The Market House. Tabitha Johnston