Guardians Of The Children’s Awareness Ride

By: Wally Wer

ing he mission

of Guardians of the Children

(GOC) is to recognize and react to child abuse and educate the public to do the same; to serve as advocates to provide strength and stability to families in crisis; and be an answer to the prayer of an abused child or teen for courage, support, and protection. Their moto is: “Don’t Let Your Silence Drown Out Their Cries”. Child abuse is one of those issues that’s very difficult to talk about because it’s surrounded by guilt and shame but avoiding that issue doesn’t help the kids who need support.

GOC is not just one individual force fighting against child abuse. GOC is a brotherhood of motorcycle enthusiasts banded together for the same cause - our children. The association as bikers gives GOC unique qualifications to protect our children, and the ability to call on resources that might not generally be available to the public at large. Their mission is to send a clear message to all who would abuse children that they are prepared to protect these children through their physical and emotional support.

The Gastonia Chapter of GOC was chartered in November 2010 by a group of bikers who saw the need to assist and educate the community to the effects of child abuse. It is only one

of the many chapters throughout the USA, and Canada.

On Saturday, September 12th, they held their Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness Ride from Remedies Restaurant, Bar and Lounge on Union Road in Gastonia, NC. Registration started at 10:00am, and the first group was scheduled to leave

at 11:00am. Later there would be another group for those who arrived later with the last bike in before 4:00pm. There were five scheduled stops along the way to roll the dice. The first was at Remedies, the second was at Metrolina Motorsports in Kings Mountain, the third stop was R&B Pub House near York, SC, the fourth stop was at Friendly Billiards in Rock Hill, SC. Then the run ended back at Remedies in Gastonia with prizes for best and worst hand, a 50/50 drawing, raffle prizes, and food for the participants.

The weather was cool and threatening with showers in the area. I decided to drive rather than ride. I’ve been caught in showers enough in my life and am getting too old for me to be safe riding in the rain.

Even with the weather issue, there was a great turnout for the event. I arrived at about 10:00am and was surprised to see so many bikes parked in the Remedies lot.

After I placed a stack of the Carolinas’ Full Throttle magazines on the registration table, I gave my donation. Then I went outside to look for “Cuzz”. I knew that he’d be there because he’s the face of the Gastonia GOC. I was right; he was standing near a couple ladies when we saw each other.

After talking with “Cuzz” for a while, I went looking for “Red” – president of the Carolina Thunder. I learned that the Carolina Thunder was holding a breakfast fundraiser for the Gaston County Toy Run for Kids. I wish I had known; I would

have stopped there for breakfast before heading to Remedies.

While I was waiting for the run to start, I met many very friendly people; even a few US Navy veterans. It was fun talking about what we did while in the Navy – one never heard about destroyers. I had to tell him about my experiences on one. He was amazed because he was never on a ship while he was in the Navy. It was fun. 11:00am came and went and the run hadn’t left. At about 11:15, they called everybody for the pre-ride meeting and prayer. While we were praying, “Red” rode in. He had been putting the finishing touches on the fundraiser and got there as soon as he could. After the prayer, the riders were getting ready for the ride. I talked with “Red” before he left. I went across the street to take pictures as they left. Union Road is a four-lane in front of Remedies. They had to pull cars out to block traffic to let the run leave as a group.

I think that they hold this ride a couple times a year. I will watch their Facebook page to make sure that I won’t miss the next one. They stand for a great cause and we need more people to be against child abuse.

After they left, I headed home. On the way I encountered a few squalls. If I had been riding, I would have been soaked but probably been dry by the time I got home. There aren’t many things that dry wet clothes better than riding at 60 mph.