Bikers from Chattahoochee area use their motorcycles to raise funds for charities

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Motorcyclists from around the Chattahoochee Valley rode and showed off their bikes Saturday at events in Columbus and Phenix City to raise funds to help others.

Riders began rolling into Chattahoochee Harley-Davidson in Columbus Saturday morning for a motorcycle poker run, organized by the Columbus Police Department, to raise money for Special Olympics Georgia. The poker run is one of several events the local law enforcement community is using to raise money for the organization, said Columbus police Sgt. Donald Bush.

“This is law enforcement giving back to the community,” said Bush, adding that events in 2009 raised more than $9,000 for Special Olympics Georgia. He said upcoming events include a car show, a golf outing and a pistol match.

Motorcyclists turn into the parking lot of Chattahoochee Harley-Davidson in Columbus Saturday morning to ride in a motorcycle poker run to benefit Special Olympics Georgia. The event, organized by the Columbus Police Department, is one of several events the area law enforcement community is doing to raise funds for Special Olympics Georgia. Upcoming events include a car show, a golf outing and a pistol match. For more information on the upcoming events or to make a contribution, contact Sgt. Donald Bush of the Columbus Police Department at 706-653-3173.

Luther Miller begins the poker ride to benefit Special Olympics Georgia Saturday morning in Columbus.

Michael Clay of Phenix City pulls into the parking area of the Phenix City Kmart Saturday morning to participate in a charity bike show, sponsored by Phenix City Health Care.

The route took riders through Hamilton, Waverly Hall and Flat Rock Park.

Later that morning, motorcyclists began arriving at the Phenix City Kmart parking lot for a charity bike show, sponsored by Phenix City Health Care. Proceeds from the event benefits Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society.

Paul Erickson, whose wife, Sarah, works at Phenix City Health Care, said the bike show was a way he, other spouses of health care workers and the facility’s employees could help raise money to supplement the customary hot dog and bake sales.

“We wanted to do something different,” Erickson said. “We thought it would be nice to have a bike show.”

The show, in its first year, featured three classes — Best of Show, Cruiser and touring class and sport bikes.

“It just gives you a warm feeling to know that you can do something you love that helps someone else,” Erickson said.

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