Ride raises $8,000

Motorcyclists turned out in force Saturday morning for the Habitat for Humanity's second annual Motorcycle Ride and Car Show. A motorcycle ride raised $8,000 Saturday morning to help Habitat for Humanity with its goal of finishing five new houses this month.

More than 70 motorcycle riders hit the highway on a route that took them from the Cherokee Shrine Club to the historic Rose Hill Plantation in Union.

Escorted by South Carolina Highway Patrol officers, local bikers traveled rural roads in Cherokee and Union counties in 101-degree temperatures.

Habitat for Humanity chairman Bill James praised the Gaffney Police Department, South Carolina Highway Patrol and Union County for their assistance with the motorcycle ride.

"We could not have done the ride without the efforts of the Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies. We had experienced and inexperienced riders traveling on a lot of rural roads," James said. "The police officers blocked all intersections and helped this event turn out absolutely perfect. The Habitat for Humanity is a very worthy organization that helps make home ownership affordable for community residents."

Motorcycle riders toured the Rose Hill Plantation before ending the ride with a barbecue lunch and homemade strawberry ice cream at the Cherokee Shrine Club. Several vintage cars were on display as part of a car show following the ride.

"The event did really well," Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Christa Smith said. "We definitely expanded the event over last year. We hope it will get bigger every year."

Profits from the second annual motorcycle ride and car show will be used to complete five houses currently under construction in the Hope Acres subdivision.

Habitat for Humanity must finish the houses before June 30 to comply with the conditions of a $375,000 infrastructure grant it received to develop the subdivision.

"We need volunteers and skilled labor so we can complete these houses," Smith said.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, Christian organization that works to make home ownership a reality for local residents. The houses are sold at no profit and no interest to selected homeowners.