by Sarah Melton

DENVER – The third annual Firefighters’ Burned Children Fund Charity Ride to benefit child burn victims across the state takes place Saturday, July 16, from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m.

East Lincoln firefighter Casey Noles is a Lincoln County representative for the Burned Children Fund. He was inspired to organize the event after visiting burn victims at the N.C. Jaycee Burn Center in Chapel Hill three years ago.

“That visit motivated me to get involved with the Burned Children Fund instead of just being a representative,” Noles said. “I wanted to be more active, so I started brainstorming and decided to do a poker run.”

The charity ride begins at 10 a.m. at the East Lincoln Fire Department, at 406 S. Pilot Knob Road in Denver. Registration costs $15 per rider or $25 for two riders. The ride is intended for motorcycles, but Noles said anyone who wants to participate is welcome.

T-shirts and other merchandise will be sold at the fire station.

Riders will make stops in this order: Sport’s Page, Mooresville; Kat’s Patch, Troutman; Drum’s Restaurant, Bandy’s Township; Fatz Café, Lincolnton; and end at Midtown Sundries, Denver. The ride is about an 80-mile trip.

“There will be tons of door prizes, and we will have a 50/50 drawing,” Noles said. “At Midtown Sundries, we’ll draw the final hand and determine who wins the hand. The best hand and the worst hand will each get trophies.”

Volunteers are still needed to work at the stops to help riders pick up their cards and mark their hands accordingly. Volunteers also can help register riders at fire department or assist with the last card draw at Midtown Sundries. Also, volunteers can hand out door prizes, sell merchandise and collect donations.

About 120 people participated in last year’s event, which raised about $27,000. All of the proceeds go to the Burned Children Fund, which was organized in 1989 to support the recovery of burn patients and to help prevent burn injuries. Chapters across the state have participated in the development of Camp Celebrate, a camp for children burn victims, and new fire/burn prevention programs.

“It’s all for the kids,” Noles said. “This ride is fun and there is fellowship for everyone, but most of all, it’s for the kids.”

For more information or to volunteer at the event, call Noles at 704-791-6186.