Bikers raise record amount during pandemic - collect food and supplies to bolster Food Roundup
More than 30 motorcycle riders took part in the annual “Ride to Clyde” on October 10, raising just over $90,000 for Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH). It is a record amount for the event celebrated its fifth anniversary.
The abbreviated ride, organized by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSCNC), was held in Thomasville due to the pandemic. The event was forced to reschedule twice, at first because of COVID-19 restrictions earlier this year and later because the remnants of a tropical storm created treacherous riding conditions.
Cheers and shouts of delight broke out from the riders gathered outside Rich Fork Baptist Church in Thomasville when an original total of $75,000 was announced. Later, after riders had departed, more contributions were tallied bringing the total to $90,564. The Ride to Clyde has now generated in excess of $275,000 for BCH through the event’s five years.
Davis, who previously served with BSCNC and is now a part of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s Faith Health Division, co-founded Ride to Clyde with Rit Varriale, Pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Shelby.
“We would have been excited about any amount this year,” Davis said, “but we are very excited about this exceedingly wonderful amount we have received.”
Davis explained that the majority of Ride to Clyde contributions are small from many people rather than large gifts from a few.
BCH honored Davis and Varriale with “Friends of Children” awards for their work in coordinating Ride to Clyde. Recipients of the award are chosen by Michael C. Blackwell, BCH President/CEO.
Normally, 150 or more motorcyclists ride hundreds of miles throughout three days beginning at BSCNC’s Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell, located on Oak Island, and ending in the western mountains at the BCH’s Broyhill Home in Clyde. Along the way, riders stop at several BCH locations to meet children in care and learn about the Children’s Homes’ ministries. However, pandemic restrictions made this plan impossible.
The decision was made to hold a one-day ride and have motorcyclists gather in the large parking area at Rich Fork. They then rode their motorcycles through BCH’s Mills Home campus where children stood in the yards of their cottages and cheered as they rode by them.
Despite restrictions and periodical rain, which saw a decrease in the number of riders attending, support was stronger than ever. Riders raise contributions throughout the year and many send in donations even if they are unable to participate in person. This year, because BCH had to postpone its annual “Food Roundup” in April, bikers were asked to fill the saddlebags on their motorcycles with needed items for the rescheduled food drive. Riders not only filled a van full of collected items, but several churches and riders brought truckloads of supplies on other dates.
The funds raised through Ride to Clyde are critical for helping BCH provide care and ministry throughout North Carolina and beyond. North Carolina Baptists primarily support BCH year-round through Cooperative Program giving and BCH’s Annual Offering.
Blackwell, praised Ride to Clyde participants for “stepping up once again.”
“They understand that there is no way BCH can provide safe, Christian homes for children without their support,” Blackwell said. “This is an incredible way to celebrate Ride to Clyde’s fifth anniversary especially In the midst of this challenging year.”
Motorcycles have become an integral part of North Carolina Baptist life, with dozens of church-related rider groups and churches planted especially to reach people who are part of the motorcycle lifestyle. Many Ride to Clyde participants are pastors and most others are church members.
Buddy Harris, 73, rode his motorcycle more than 200 miles from Wilmington to Thomasville, with stops in Lumberton and Fayetteville. It was his third Ride to Clyde.
Harris was one of five Carolina Faith Riders who came from Wrightsboro Baptist Church in Wilmington. The church sponsored a golf tournament, which had to be rescheduled several times, to help raise Ride to Clyde contributions.
Harris invited Paul Stanley, 63, who rode his Harley-Davidson from Bladenboro where he is a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church. Stanley said it was the first time he participated in Ride to Clyde and knew Baptist Children’s Homes is a great cause to support.
As he received the plaque from BCH, Brian Davis recalled he and Rit Varriale worked with Baptist State Convention staffer John Jones and others for two years to plan the first Ride to Clyde in 2016.
“I feared at first we would lose money rather than raise money,” he confessed. But that first ride brought in $20,000—and totals increased over time. The five Ride to Clyde events from 2016 to 2020 have raised more than $250,000 for BCH.
“Christ brings His people together as His family to impact and support those who often don’t have a family,” Davis said.
For more information about the annual Ride to Clyde, please visit www.ridetoclyde.com, or contact Cynthia King at 800-395-5102 ext. 5501 or cking@ncbaptist.org.