By Mason W. Canales
Killeen Daily Herald
Each ride toured the motorcyclists around Stillhouse Hollow Lake before ending at Horny Toad Harley Davidson in Temple.
Ride for Life
The Ride for Life saw the majority of people. It supported Donate Life Texas, which is run by UT Health Science Center Allograft Resources in San Antonio.
The ride is to raise awareness for organ donations, said Mariluz Martinez, Allograft Resources, hospital development specialist.
Not a lot of organizations that support the education and benefits of organ donation, and this ride may make someone more aware of what organ donations can do for someone else, Martinez said.
The people who know most about the benefits of organ donations are typically the recipients, said Shelby Baker, a liver recipient who supported the ride.
"If it wasn't for people giving the gift of life then a lot of us wouldn't be here today," Baker said.
There is an estimated 117,000 people who could benefit from a organ donations in the United States, Martinez said. From San Antonio to Waco there are about 3,000 people waiting for organ donations.
If you are a donor you can save or change about 50 people's lives, Baker said.
Juan Vilchis of Dallas is a recent heart transplant recipient, and he was glad to be supporting the ride Saturday morning, he said.
Vilchis had his surgery two months ago at Scott & White Hospital and he feels completely alive, he said. With organizations promoting donations, more people like him could receive the care they need.
"It is really important for people to help each other," Vilchis said.
This was the first year for this ride to take place in Bell County.
Horses to Harleys
Horses to Harleys, a benefit ride hosted by the Bell County's Sheriff's Posse, raised money for the Scott & White Children's Miracle Network.
The ride had several sister events happening in Belton Saturday, and the proceeds from the events will help construct the Scott & White Children's Hospital, Posse Member Carin Bauer said.
The sister events included a horse ride in Belton, two auctions at Horny Toad Harley Davidson, and live concerts at Schoepf's in Belton.
Sheriff Dan Smith road his hog to support his posse and the children's network Saturday.
The posse has been part of the sheriff's department since 1967 and members have always done a tremendous job promoting the department and spear heading community services, Smith said.
"They do a lot of great work for charities," he said.
Horses to Harleys is a wonderful event, he said, and even though Smith was present for the ride, he let someone else lead the reigns.
"It is a really unique event," Smith said. "I am just tagging along and giving my support."
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