The benefit event has served to honor many different people and organizations over the years, but this year it is more personal, honoring two members of their own congregation who might have even participated otherwise.

As part of Harmony Freewill Baptist Church’s annual Back to School Bash, the church will feature a Benefit Motorcycle Bike Ride this Saturday, June 1.

Pastor Brandon Young said they have included the bike ride for the past five years, but recently, they have dedicated the ride to two church members who died in the past two years.

“We lost both of them in the past two years,” Young said. “We are doing the ride in their honor.”

Ike Price died from complications relating to diabetes, while David Desgro died in a motorcycle crash just last year.

“They loved the Back to School Bash,” he said. “They loved to ride motorcycles.”

He said they always dedicated the benefit ride to someone or an organization, but this time they decided to dedicate it to two members who loved riding as much as they did serving the church.

“Desgro was always there to greet the kids,” Young said. “He was helping me at the church when he died. He was on his way back to the church to continue helping.”

Young said dedicating the ride to them was significant not just to their memories, but to the church congregation they left behind.

“It means a lot to our church,” he said. “It is fitting to put their names on it.”

Despite the name and premise, however, the ride is not exclusive to motorcycles. Young said classic cars or convertibles are also welcome to participate.

The ride itself will begin Saturday, June 1, at the church, located at 3405 Gap Creek Road at 10 a.m. Young said registration begins at 9 a.m. It costs $15 to register for the ride.

Participants will ride up to Watauga Lake and will eventually end up in Spruce Pine, N.C., to have dinner at the Western Sizzling Steakhouse there.

“If [anyone] would like to ride with us, we would love it,” Young said.

He said the ride is meant to foster camaraderie and friendship among its participants.

“I have met so many new friends in these rides,” he said.