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Ronald McDonald House benefits from collections of riding club members

Ronald McDonald House benefits from collections of riding club members

Posted: Wednesday, September 26, 2012 5:00 pm

Twenty-one motorcycles and eight cars recently rolled off the Walmart parking lot in Union City on their way to the Ronald McDonald House in Memphis.
For two months, members of the Ken-Ten chapter of the Southern Cruisers Riding Club No. 330 worked with area day cares Little Lamb 1 and 2 and Small World to collect items for Ronald McDonald House, promising a Domino’s Pizza-sponsored party for the class which collected the most items. Collection boxes were placed at several local businesses and a public collection drive was held in the parking lot at Dollar Tree in Union City.
First officer Michael Cole said a trailer donated by Buddy’s Wrecker Service was used to store supplies while collections were made and items could be sorted and boxed and the original plan was to transfer the load to a smaller trailer to haul to Memphis.
“I was in total shock as the donations started coming in. After our public collection drive on Sept. 8, it was obvious that the trailer we had planned to transfer the load was not going to hold all the donations. As soon as the problem was discovered, local businesses stepped up to the plate to help,” he said, adding Searcy contractors of Union City provided a semi-truck to pull the trailer, and Buddy’s Wrecker Service allowed the original trailer to be used for transport.
On Sept. 15, area bikers met at the Union City Walmart to load the last part of supplies. After Jimmy Trout led a prayer, those in attendance headed out for Memphis.
The convoy stopped in Ripley for a brief re-fuel and lunch break and to meet up with the Ripley Southern Cruisers chapter, which rode on to Memphis with the group. The convoy arrived at the Ronald McDonald house in Memphis that afternoon.
After a brief meeting with Ronald McDonald House board member Barbara Thorton, a native of northwest Tennessee, the crew of motorcyclists and children who attended began to unload the trailer.
“It wasn’t long before the pantry was full and the trailer had to be moved to a pod to unload the rest of the supplies for storage,” Cole said. “The workers at the house were in awe of how much supplies were brought down.”
After the work was complete, they took a tour of the Ronald McDonald House.
“I would like to thank all the local residents and business that helped by contributing money, supplies, boxes, purchasing shirts, helping spread the word or volunteering to help. I am very proud of our area citizens,” Cole said. Published in The Messenger 9.26.12