Published: May 14, 2009 04:48 pm      

Motorcycle run to help benefit Salvation Army

A Cleburne store is doing its part to help feed hungry in Johnson County.

Honda West Cleburne is hosting a motorcycle run Saturday to benefit the Johnson County Salvation Army.

“This is our first year, and this is an event which benefits Johnson County,” said Larry Turman, store manager. “We’ve got a bunch of sponsors this year; we hope to make this an annual event.”

The store chose to support Salvation Army because of its low food supply.

“We wanted to something to benefit with food,” Turman said. “We talked to them and they said their food bank was running pretty low. So that makes us feel even better to be able to help them out.”

This week is also National Salvation Army Week. The supplies are low because of the swine flu, said Mindie Wilson with the organization.

“Because kids were at home and parents don’t normally feed their kid during the day,” Wilson said. “We did 30 families in one day. There’s just been an overwhelming need, and we can’t keep the food on the shelves. It’s going out just about as quickly as I can get it in.”

The first bike goes out at 8 a.m., with the last bike leaving at 9:30 a.m. Bikers will return by 3 p.m. Registration is from 8-9 p.m. at Honda West, 1731 N. Main St. in Cleburne. Cost is $10 per rider plus one canned food item.

It will be a 60 mile run with several stops in Johnson County. A free pancake breakfast is available from 8:30-10 a.m. at Caddo Street Grill. In Godley, Del Norte and Taco’s More will serve free samples. Other stops include Lone Oak Winery in Burleson and Beaumont Ranch in Grandview.

Free hot dogs, drinks and door prizes will be available at Honda West following the run. The Shane Howard Band will perform from 2-3:30 p.m.

Sponsors include Caddo Street Grill, JohnsonCountyEvents.com, Lone Oak Winery, Beaumont Ranch, Footgear, Castle Collection, Tucker Rocky, Sullivans, G&K Services, Albertson’s, Merle Norman, Accents, Downing Guns, Welty Glass Co., Bob’s Furniture, Elite Image Salon, Pool and Spa Etc., T’s Foto, South Main Cafe, TX R.I.D.E.R., Del Norte and Johns Manville.

The Salvation Army is a United Way agency.

Donations are always accepted, Wilson said. Basic donations that are always needed include corn, green beans, Ramen noodles and any type of canned pasta.

For information, visit www.JohnsonCountyEvents.com or call 817-774-3443.