Update, Sept. 10: Because of concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, Bikers Who Care has canceled the Benefit Party & Motorcycle Rally planned for Sept. 17-19. Plans for the Toy Run are still being discussed.

Previously:

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Bikers Who Care is an all-volunteer organization of motorcycle enthusiasts committed to helping others in the community.

BWC was formed in 1982 and began their community service by supporting the Dream Factory of Clarksville, which grew into Camp Rainbow, a summer camp for seriously ill children.

“We have been donating more and more money every year to the Dream Factory and other children’s charities,” said Bikers Who Care Membership Coordinator Paul Dominguez, also known as Blue. “Right now, we have donated approximately $100,000 a year, and over the past 40 years we’re at about $2 million now that we have given away to different children’s organizations.”

Other groups that have benefitted from BWC support are the Dawn Stanfill Foundation, which provides financial support to pediatric cancer patients, the Montgomery County Child Advocacy Center, Special Olympics Tennessee, and the Buddy Ball Special Needs Athletic League.

Sept. 17-19, BWC will celebrate their largest fundraising event of the year, the 40th annual Leslie W. Watson Memorial Toy Run, Benefit Party & Motorcycle Rally, at the Clarksville Speedway. All proceeds raised from the event go to Camp Rainbow and other children’s charities.

The BWC Toy Run is Saturday, Sept. 18, and each year hundreds of motorcycle riders come from all over the region to ride from the Clarksville Speedway to Governors Square Mall.

Each person participating is asked to give a toy or make a monetary donation. Clarksville Fire Rescue helps collect the toys at the mall and makes sure they are distributed to other local organizations throughout the community to be given to deserving youngsters for Christmas.

Dominguez added that again this year BWC will recognize the “BWC Five” at the event. Ten years ago, five people who were camping at the rally died of carbon monoxide poisoning as they slept, when a generator they were using leaked fumes into their trailer. Dominguez added that a memorial was placed at the site where the trailer was located.

To learn more, go to the Bikers Who Care website.

Giving Grace, sponsored by Grace Dental, is an ongoing Clarksville Now series showcasing local non-profit organizations.