Knob Mountain Motorcycle Chapter supports GEARS Program

The GEARS Program of the Southmountain Foster Community is one that requires constant funding.

Maintenance on the dirt bikes and fuel for their engines, as well as helmets, boots, gloves, and goggles for the young riders are the primary expenditures.

For years, Honda Motorcycles supported the Southmountain program, and others like it around the county, through its National Youth Project Using Minibikes initiative.

Honda discontinued that initiative, however, and GEARS has sought alternative sources of funding.

One of the local organizations that has stepped up to help is the Knob Mountain Motorcycle Chapter that has been based in Burke County since 1988.

According to longtime chapter stalwart Marla McRary, the group’s history goes back “many years before 1988 as a casual group of riders who got together to share riding adventures together.

“In those days of youth and vigor,” McRary continued, “(we) frequently rode cross-country, visiting places as far away as Alaska.”

Recently, McRary said, the organization voted to “spend down” the funds in its treasury by making a contribution of more than $3,000 to the GEARS Program — a contribution that was presented to Chris Jernigan, the director of South Mountains Children and Family Services.