Central Florida Bikers Rev It Up for Prisoners’ Kids on 9/20

Hundreds of Central Florida Bikers Hit the Asphalt with Thousands of Riders Across the U.S. to Benefit Nation's Most At-Risk Children; 10-State UNITY RIDE for America's 1.5 Million Children of Inmates

WHAT:
Hundreds of Central Florida bikers bearing Christmas gifts for local children of prisoners will gather for a 35-mile motorcycle ride and prayer event at the 3rd annual UNITY RIDE sponsored by national biker magazine Wheels of Grace.  Central Florida's UNITY RIDE is one of 12 held simultaneously across the nation at which bikers will gather to rally support for the 1.5 million children in America who have a father or mother behind bars.  These children are among the most "at-risk" kids in the United States (Focus on Children with Incarcerated Parents, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2007).
 

This year's event will benefit Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree, the nation's only year-round effort that reaches out exclusively to children of prisoners. 

WHEN:
Sept. 20, 8:30 a.m. EDT

• 8:30 a.m. - Registration
• 9:30 a.m. - Local praise and worship event
• 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. - UNITY RIDE
• Noon - Nationwide prayer linking thousands of bikers in 12 cities across the United States
• 12:45 - 2:00 p.m. - Lunch and concert featuring live music by Providence

WHERE:
Beginning at First Baptist Church at the Mall, 1010 E. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33801 and ending at Ridge Harley Davidson, 1501 Longleaf Blvd., Lake Wales, FL 33859

WHO:
Lakeland-based Faith Riders, Fellowship Riders, Crossroads Bikers, Calvary Chapel and Christian Motorcyclists Association and more . . .

The UNITY RIDE is open to all riders and others who wish to attend.  The entry fee is $10 and a children's toy. 

In addition to Central Florida, UNITY RIDES will be held in Atlanta, Carson City, Nev., Cleveland, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Sacramento, Calif., Seattle, Southern California and Phoenix.  Bikers who want to participate in the UNITY RIDE should contact Buddy Johnson at (954) 347-0794.   

Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree program is the only nationwide, year-round effort that reaches out exclusively to children whose fathers or mothers are behind bars.  It begins with a gift at Christmas but extends to a year-round effort.  During the past 26 years, more than 7.5 million children of prisoners have received some 16 million Christmas gifts, more than 40,000 children have participated in summer camping and some 5,000 prisoners' children have been mentored through Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree. 

MEDIA NOTE: UNITY RIDES are open to media.  Media check-in will be located at the registration desk at First Baptist Church at the Mall.  On-site media contact: Raeanne Hance, (954) 646-4073.