Motorcycle club will host ride for autism

MISHAWAKA, Ind. — On Sunday, a local motorcycle club, the HoodRat Riders, is hosting a ride across Michiana for autism awareness.

Two members of the group have children with autism, which inspired the bikers to organize the ride.

The motorcycle club partnered up with the Lighthouse Autism Center.

All money that is raised at the 30 mile ride throughout Michiana will be given to the Families First Foundation.

The nonprofit is dedicated to giving back to the community, specifically families with children who have autism. 

The funds will support scholarships for therapy, gas cards for travel to therapy, and speech and communication devices.

This is the first ride hosted by the HoodRat Riders, and yet over one hundred bikers are expected to hit the roadways.

Deanthony Banks is a club member and a father of a child with autism. He’s overwhelmed with the community’s interest in the ride.

“It’s definitely an emotional thing. To know that we have so much support in the community is great. I can’t express that enough. If I could run up and down and do backflips I would,” he said.

At 11 a.m. on Sunday, registration will begin at the Lighthouse Autism Center. The 30 mile ride through Michiana will begin at noon and end at RBIs Sports Bar in Mishawaka. The event will have food, drinks, and raffles. 

“It’s for the kids out here. That’s the biggest thing is the kids. We want to make this aware for the kids,” said Banks.