TREMONT - Bikers showed Sunday they have a lot of heart as they road their motorcycles through Schuylkill County to help raise funds for St. Joseph Center for Special Learning in Pottsville.
With no rain in sight, the 10th annual "Ride for Autism" drew about 75 riders.
Starting from West Main Street in Tremont at 10 a.m., the planned three-hour ride took about four hours before ending at the Whippoorwill Dam near Frackville as drivers and passengers contended with high heat, making the ride a bit of an endurance challenge. Most were happy to reach the recreation site for food and cold beverages. The "Whippy" is located in West Mahanoy Township, but is owned by Frackville Borough and maintained by the South End Field and Stream Club.
The motorcycles lined up along the street before the run, with traffic control provided by Tremont fire police. Taking care of last minute questions and keeping track at the start were Cathy and Gene Perkins Jr., Tremont, who founded the ride to raise money for St. Joseph Center.
"We have a lot more people than the first year. We had 16 riders for the first ride," Gene Perkins said. "For each year, the number would go up and down. This is only the second time in the past 10 years we didn't have rain."
He explained that the idea to raise funds for St. Joseph Center came about because his grandson, Harley Krise, 16, of Tremont, was diagnosed with autism at 3 years old and attends the school.
"My step-son, Randy Moyer, myself and my wife started this," Gene Perkins said. "Our goal is $5,000, and one day we might hit it. All proceeds go to the school."
Last year, the event raised more than $1,200. In 2010, $1,310 was raised.
Perkins said the motorcycle ride also helps people know about the school, explaining that when "St. Joseph Center" is referred to, many people think of the St. Joseph Center in Scranton, rather than the school in Pottsville.
"We're here to raise awareness for the school and for autism," he said. "We've had riders with us since Day 1 and they come back year after year, whether it's raining or not."
St. Joseph Center is a special education program for students ages 4 through 21. Sponsored by the Office of Education, Diocese of Allentown, St. Joseph Center offers academic, social, religious and pre-vocational instruction to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Schuylkill County and beyond regardless of race, creed and ethnic origin. St. Joseph Center also offers a state-licensed adult habilitation program for those over 21 who, due to functional level, are unable to join the workforce. The school, which is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, is located at 2075 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville.
"It's a 98-mile scenic ride this year and they should get to the Whippoorwill between 1 and 1:30," he said.
Cathy Perkins watched the motorcycles leave and head toward Minersville, where she said the borough fire department would provide an escort. The next stop was at the Whippoorwill, where preparations for a picnic-style meal were being made.
"We have a big pig being roasted, and I made about 50 pounds of beef barbecue and 50 pounds of macaroni salad, so I was very happy to see all these people here," Cathy Perkins said. "It's a good cause. St. Joseph Center does a lot of good for everyone who goes there and our grandson is one of them."
In addition to the ride fee, which is $20 for driver and $20 for passenger, there is a raffle and sales of commemorative shirts, which has the following list of sponsors: South End Field and Stream, Jerry's Northeast Auto Sales, Ken's Tire Inc., Schaeffer's Harley-Davidson Inc., Daubert's Distributor, Abdo's Furniture, Miners Auto Sales, Chapel Rose Tattoo, Rita's Italian Ice (Mount Hope, Pottsville) Airwaves, McNulty's Building Supply Inc., VSAS Orthopaedics, Beer Mountain Distributor, Marlin Markets, Pepsi, Cigar Box, Lehigh Valley Dairy and John Hester Embroidering and Screen Printing.