Motorcyclists Participate In 'Big Ride' For Kids' Sake
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Motorcyclists participated in the fourth annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Ride For Kids’ Sake Saturday. The ride raised funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters, an organization that provides mentoring to youth, and more than $8,500 was raised Saturday, according to Trina Hoy, community development coordinator. Hoy said there are 175 Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Kosciusko County. She said there is a lunch buddy program where mentors go into the schools, and a community-based program where mentors meet with matches twice a month. There were 62 motorcycles and 32 passengers Saturday. Hotline provided music, and Noah Scott played the guitar. There was a bake sale and raffles to raise funds, and people could purchase lunch. There also were blow-up games, cornhole and crafts. Indiana State Police and Warsaw Police led the ride. Luke Nathalang, ISP sergeant, has been a Big Brother for three years to a 10-year-old boy. “I eat lunch with him and we play games and read,” Nathalang said. “We need to raise awareness that there are a lot of kids who need a role model and someone they can look up to.” Laster Boggs, a Big Brother, attended the ride with his 13-year-old Little Brother, who he has mentored for four years. Boggs suggested starting the ride four years ago. “This ride is important to make people aware of the need to volunteer and become a mentor,” Boggs said. Boggs and his Little Brother have mud bogged, gone on amusement rides rode four-wheelers. “It’s been great to have a Big Brother because I look at him as a father figure,” Boggs’ Little Brother said. To learn more about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, visit www.bbbsnei.org
