Motorcyclists Participate In Ride In Support Of Big Brothers, Big Sisters
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Motorcyclists participated in a 100-mile motorcycle ride Saturday in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kosciusko County. The third annual “Big Ride For Kids’ Sake” started at The Bowling Alley in Warsaw and took cyclists through Mentone, Denver, Roann, Silver Lake, Claypool and back to Warsaw. Kevin Kyle, nationally known guitarist, performed a rendition of the national anthem. Laster Boggs, who started the ride three years ago, said it has been rewarding to be a Big Brother. Boggs has been a “Big” for five years, the past three years to a 12-year-old boy, and previously for two years to an 8-year-old boy who moved to Texas. “It’s about giving kids a chance who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunities that other kids do,” Boggs said. “My little had never ridden a four-wheeler or been to a car show so we did those things.” He said if his “Little” gets straight A’s he will take him to King’s Island or Cedar Point. Kirby LeMond, ambassador for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kosciusko County, has been a big for three years to an 18-year-old boy who graduated from Warsaw Community High School and will attend Lincoln Tech, Indianapolis, in the fall. “It’s great to be an adult figure in my Little’s life. I like outdoor things, and we hit it right off and shot pellet guns, bb guns and rifles and went fishing and rode on my motorcycle,” LeMond said. Saturday’s ride was escorted by Indiana State Police Sgt. Luke Nathalang and troopers Vern Robinson and Jon Harr, who rode on their motorcycles. Nathalang has been a Big Brother in Fort Wayne for the past year to a 9-year-old boy. He said he has seen the changes in his Little in his attitude toward school. “The first time I met my little he didn’t want to go to school and was changing from school to school, and at the end of the school year he was sad to see the school year ending,” Nathalang said. Nathalang said he has enjoyed talking to his little about his police work, playing games, reading and helping his little study math and spelling. Cyclists returned to The Bowling Alley where there was a hot dog eating contest, door prizes, music and a raffle. Lowe’s donated wooden cars where Littles could decorate the cars and the motorcyclists judged the best car. Trina Hoy, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kosciusko County community development coordinator, said there are 154 matches in Kosciusko County and the goal is to have 240 for the year. Hoy said lunch buddies are needed where a Big eats lunch once a week with their Little at Pierceton, Lincoln, Harrison or Washington elementary schools. Community-based matches also are needed where the Big meets with their Little for two to four hours per month. To become a Big, visit www.bbbsnei.org or call Hoy at 574-551-6386.
