WS Chronicle

Last weekend, the Prince Hall Masonic Temple hosted the fifth annual Masonic Motorcycle Charity Ride.

The event held on Saturday, July 21, was designed to raise funds for various charity projects the organization hosts’ throughout the year. More than two dozen men and women participated in the charity ride, which traveled more than 50 miles.

The convoy of riders started at the Masonic Temple located at 1025 14th Street and traveled to Hanging Rock before returning to the temple for a community cookout and giveaway.

Event coordinator Rodney Funderburk, who is a member of a masonic motorcycle club called 3-5-7 Riders, said when he put out the call to other motorcycle clubs in the area, they jumped at the chance to participate.

Pre-registration for the event was $20 per rider. The day of registration for the event was $30. According to Funderburk, proceeds will be used to help students, teachers, and staff at Hall-Woodward Elementary throughout the 2018-2019 school year.

Before mounting his bike, Funderburk said the charity ride is important because it shows people that motorcycle riders are not the criminals people make them out to be. He said, “The guys in the motorcycle world are not these 1 percent criminals people they’re made out to be. They’re regular working people like you and me, and they’re willing to help any way they can.”