By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
Arkansas Bikers for Children is holding a large motorcycle ride on Sunday, Sept. 16 when motorcyclists from all over the state will meet at Burns Park and ride to Arkansas Children’s Hospital to deliver money the bikers collected from donations.
“Every dime goes to the kids. It is from the heart. We’re not doing it for profit,” said co-chairman Don Null of Jacksonville.
The motorcycle event is free. Donations are accepted. All money will go directly to Children’s Hospital. Arkansas Bikers for Children has no paid employees or administrative costs.
Arkansas Bikers for Children, a non-profit organization established last March, focuses on helping children who have health problems.
“Every member on our board has been involved with the hospital in some way or another,” Null said.
Null estimates there will be more than 3,000 motorcyclists converging to make one of the largest riding events in the state. He said everyone is welcome to join including motorcycles and cars.
Null said they have contacted 95-percent of the motorcycle groups in the state and many have agreed to participate in the Arkansas Bikers for Children ride.
A pre-party will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15 starting at 9 a.m. at M and M Stop- n-Shop at 1831 Hwy. 64 in El Paso.
It is an all-day event with pre-registration, a silent auction and a possible poker run.
On the morning of Sunday, Sept. 16 riders from the northern parts of the state will meet at M and M Stop-n-Shop in El Paso. They will head out to Burns Park in North Little Rock. Activities start at 11 a.m. at pavilion 10.
There will be free food and music. A live band will perform and former Cabot mayor Stubby Stumbaugh will deejay.
At 2 p.m. motorcyclists will leave Burns Park to ride to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. They will be escorted by the state police, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, North Little Rock Police, White County Sheriff’s Office and the Searcy Police Department.
Null said the group sent invitations to Gov. Mike Beebe and his wife, Ginger, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, Secretary of State Mark Martin, the mayors of Little Rock and North Little Rock. Arkansas Bikers for Children also plans to invite additional public officials to participate in the ride.
For more information about the ride, contact Don Null at 501-580-9250.
