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Ride with Cops benefits children's Christmas party
Bikers prepare to ride during the annual Ride with the Cops event on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008, at Buddy's All-American Bar-B-Que.
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HUNTINGTON -- More than 300 riders turned out on a beautiful October morning for the 2008 Ride with Cops event, which rolled out of the Buddy's All American Bar-B-Que before noon Sunday.
This is the sixth year for the ride, which raises money for a children's Christmas party, hosted by the Fraternal Order of Police Gold Star Lodge 65. Last year, almost 300 bikers turned out and gave $11,000 for the party, which is held every December for local children in need.
Though the Christmas party has been offered to kids since 1971, the ride started in 2000, and there were just 35 riders that year, said HPD motor officer Mike Hudson. Last year, there were 286 motorcycles and 350 participants. This year, there were at least 300 bikes registered and counting, before the event got started Sunday.
"It's absolutely amazing. Every year it gets bigger," Hudson said. "It's mostly by word of mouth -- they're coming back and bringing friends and family when they do."
The annual ride covers 110 miles through West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio, and there's no stopping for traffic lights or stop signs along the way. Police in all three states help coordinate traffic, so with some extra sponsorship from Redmen Bingo, a portion of proceeds will go toward the Ohio Highway Patrol, the Kentucky State Police and the Ashland Police Department, Hudson said.
This year, the party will be Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Redmen Bingo hall. Teachers select children who attend, and the number of children served is based on how much money is raised. The kids get a meal, presents to take home and unwrap, and a chance to visit with Santa.
"There's no way we could do this without these riders," Hudson said.
Bikers are invited to attend the Christmas party to see exactly what kind of program they're supporting, and Kim and Terry Scarberry of Huntington have taken advantage of that opportunity.
"It's heart-melting," Kim Scarberry said before the ride on Sunday. "Their eyes light up like there's no tomorrow. Some of those kids, that's all they'll get. You leave there with tears in your eyes."
Food for Ride with Cops is donated by Buddy's and The Lounge next door, and drinks are provided by Pepsi and Eagle Distributing. Door prizes are offered as well.
"It's a deal, and the money goes to kids. It's a good thing," said Dan Ferguson, who's retired from the HPD but helps organize the event with Hudson and Larry Bias. He said the great weather report was probably a big help this year.
"They announced this weather a week ago, and that brings the riders out," he said.
