OAKBORO — For the 24th consecutive year, local bikers will soon be gearing up and hitting the road to raise funds for a local charity that holds great importance to the community.
The 24th Kerri D. Efird Memorial Scholarship Bike Run is set to take place on Saturday, April 29, at West Stanly High School, with registration at 9 a.m. and kickstands up at 10 a.m. Donations from the annual bike run help support scholarships that are awarded to West Stanly seniors each year.
The rain-or-shine trip convoy will leave from the high school (306 E Red Cross Rd, Oakboro) for a one-hour drive up to Cox’s Harley Davidson (2795 NC-134, Asheboro) before returning back to West Stanly.
At the April 19 Stanly County Board of Commissioners meeting, Chairman Scott Efird addressed the event that is held in honor and memory of daughter Kerri, a West Stanly student who passed away at the age of 18 after a battle with cystic fibrosis in 1999.
“The following week has something that’s near and dear to me and my wife: the 24th annual Kerri D. Efird Memorial Scholarship Bike Run,” Efird said. “It’s at West Stanly on April 29. Registration is up at nine, and we leave at ten. If you don’t ride a motorcycle, you can come eat barbecue and have a raffle. It’s a good event, and we’ve given here today $114,000 in scholarships to seniors — thank you so much.”
Last year’s memorial bike run generated over $17,000 with over 100 bikers involved, allowing $1,000 scholarships to be given to six different graduating seniors. In 2021, six $1,000 scholarships were also distributed from the fundraiser’s donations.
Upon returning back to the high school, all bikers and event attendees will have access to a barbecue dinner along with desserts and sno-cones. Collectable ride shirts and raffle prizes will also be available.
West Stanly has advertised the bike run online in a statement: “Help keep Kerri’s memory alive! Any senior interested in applying for this scholarship needs to see Ashley Britt in the counseling office immediately. Scholarship information is due to Mrs. Britt by May 2nd.”
For more information about the event, one can contact Scott and Tracy Efird at 980-581-1798, email [email protected], or check out the scholarship’s web page at www.kerripooh.com.