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Bikers Raise More Than 10k For Richmond County Special Olympics The Carolinas’ Full Throttle Magazine $
A convoy of bikers return to the Hide-A-Way Tavern May 1 during the annual Buddy Roe Memorial Ride for Richmond County Special Olympics.
Article and Photos by William Toler The Richmond Observer - Used with permission than they know it’s worth, that’s generosity,” Sachs said, adding that he always reminds the participants, “You’re not OCKINGHAM — Chris Sachs said he and his bidding on the item, you’re giving money to the cause.” wife Felicia cried Sunday after counting up Biker and photographer Terry Clark donated his $300 winthe total from Saturday’s motorcycle ride to nings from the 50/50 raffle back to the cause. benefit Richmond County Special Olympics. “That’s a normal biker thing to do,” Sachs said. It wasn’t because it was less than expected, but because it This year’s bounty exceeded the 2019 ride by more than was much more. $1,700. Monday afternoon at the Hide-A-Way Tavern, the couple Sachs said he estimated the event would generate close to presented an envelope to Special Olympics Coordinator Ther$7,000; Smith was figuring around $3,500. essa Smith, whose eyes widened and jaw dropped when she “We were taken away by it … amazed,” Sachs said, espeheard the total: $10,774. cially considering this was the third ride in Richmond County “Oh my goodness, that is so awesome,” Smith exclaimed. “I within a month. would have never even dreamed … y’all did awesome, thank A ride the previous weekend for Krystal Dawn Retreat you so much on behalf of Special Olympics for everything brought in more than $4,000, according to Ol Skool Riding that y’all did.” Club President Gary Holt, who added last Tuesday that several According to Sachs, only $3,000 came from sponsorships monetary donations were still expected. — the remaining $7,700 and change was raised the day of the event between rider registrations, donations, food plate sales, an auction, raffle, and door prize tickets. More than 50 bikers — from Ol Skool Tribe, Steel Wheels, Playz Elite and The Litas, as well as independent riders — participated in the event Saturday afternoon. “There’s a whole lot of generous people” in Richmond County’s biker community, Sachs said, mentioning Jerry and Belinda Gardner, who bought a cooler to donate to the auction; and Mark Cockerton, owner of Family Cycle Sales, who donated several items to the auction and bid on a few others. Other auction items included gift baskets, gift certificates to River Wild, Harley- Davidson memorabilia and an airplane flight. “When people pay more for something Hide-A-Way Tavern owner Chris Sachs, right, presents an envelope with checks totaling more than $10,000 to Richmond County Special Olympics Coordinator Theressa Smith on May 3.
