Source: The Daily Herald; by Greng Menza/staff writer
The first group of riders took off from The Maury County Senior Citizens Center at 11 a.m. for a 66-mile round trip motorcycle ride. The second contingent, left for a 40-mile jaunt an hour and a half later. Both groups were members and friends of the Knights of Christ, the Columbia chapter of the Christian Motorcyclist Association. Riders braved the cold weather to raise money to help pay for much needed maintenance on the senior center.
The Columbia Knights for Christ chapter has about 20 members who live in Columbia, Chapel Hill and other communities in and around Maury County. The Knights are a Christian ministry team involved in evangelism and community service.
�This is one part our ministry,� said Chris Wood, a member of the Knights since it began here in 1994. �Each year the chapter selects a different organization to help. In the past we�ve raised money for the Red Cross, A Woman�s Place and The Crises Pregnancy Center to name a few.�
Riders� registration fees and other donations provide the funds which are donated to the causes supported through the Polar Bear Run. The riders also earn points at stopping spots along the two Maury County bike routes. When the run is completed, prizes are awarded according to the number of points accumulated.
�This is our biggest event,� said Chapter President Dick Shroeder of Summertown. �Riders seem to really enjoy participating. It�s a fun way to give something back to the community.�
Columbia businessman and former Lady Charger softball coach Eddie Campbell rode with other members of the Muletown Hog Club in support of the Knight�s project.
�The Polar Bear Run is for a good cause, and our club is glad to help out the Knights. They are always there to help us out with our charity work, too,� Campbell said.
Ronny Mangrum of S&G Custom Cycles has been riding for the past 31 years, and has participated in the Polar Bear Run since it first began.
Commenting on the weather, Mangrum said, �The Polar Bear Run is finally living up to its name. It ain�t never been too cold to ride.�
More information about the Christian Motorcyclist Association can be obtained at www.cmausa.org or by calling (615) 758-9773.
Greg Menza may be contacted at [email protected] or (931) 388-6464 ext. 3054.
Note: The original article contained some errors. Those were corrected for the article shown here.