On Sept. 25, dozens of local bikers will race nearly 100 miles around the area to raise money for the Western Tidewater Community Service Board (WTCSB) in the Riding the Road to Recovery event.

Even though they’ll be back at the starting point to cook for the participants upon their return, consumers Benita Butts and Barbara Harris will be there with them.

Because it’s people like the pair and their nearly 1,500 other Board workers that the event is for. It’s for people that can’t have regular jobs, and often have to get by on as little as social security payments of $570 a month;People that have to go through winters without heat. Who can’t have their dental problems fixed because they don’t have insurance. Parents who can’t give their children a special birthday party.

&uot;We asked if we could get on the bikes,&uot; said Butts, who lives in Lake Kennedy with her three children. &uot;It was something that we wanted to do. I don’t drive, but I still wanted to ride the bikes.

&uot;I was glad to help, because (WTCSB) has helped me out a lot,&uot; she said. &uot;They’ve paid twice when I had to have my teeth pulled. It’s hard to learn to stretch my money. Sometimes I have to tell my children, ‘As long as you have the things you need, you shouldn’t ask for what you want.&uot;

Harris has been consuming at the center since January.

&uot;I think it’s going to be fun, fixing food,&uot; she said. &uot;For one thing, I usually don’t have any activity on Saturdays, and I get to help out a good cause. I hope we raise enough money so that it can be available for when consumers need things. I’d like to move out on my own, and I won’t be able to do it without help from Western Tidewater.&uot;

Back in February, Tidewater Motorcycles co-owners Pat and Bill Brewer opened a new Chapter of the American Cruisers, a motorcycle enthusiasts group. Every year, the organization benefits a new charity. Back in April, they decided to make it the WTCSB for 2004.

&uot;The basis is in need,&uot; Pat said. &uot;We wanted to give back to the community, and we decided to help people with brain disabilities this year. We picked a good route, one that’s not traffic congested.&uot;

A 9 a.m. registration for the ride begins at the WTCSB at 5268 Godwin Boulevard. The first bikes go out at about 10 a.m., and starts out to Nansemond Parkway, over to Main Street, eventually on Providence Road and through part of Smithfield, winding up back at the Board at about 2:30 p.m. It’s $10 for riders and $5 for passengers. Upon their re-arrival, visitors can take part in Island Boys music, food, drink, door prizes, and other events.

&uot;We’re blessed people,&uot; said rider Donald Forbes, who’ll be taking his 2001 Honda Shadow for a spin. &uot;Some people aren’t as blessed. Some of us have good jobs, but some have it tough, trying to pay rent out of a small paycheck. This is a great way of helping them.&uot;

&uot;Any charity is a good cause,&uot; said Butch Michaud, the proud rider of a 1999 Road King. &uot;The weather’s going to be good, and we’ll make a good showing.&uot;

Riders can show up and register as late as the morning of the event, said WTCSB consumer affairs and mental health rehab director April Knight.

&uot;The way these folks are giving back to the community bowled us over,&uot; Knight said. &uot;We call it the ‘Road to Recovery’ because people have a new way of looking at recovering from brain disabilities. A lot of them used to sit at home, staring at walls, drugged up. Now we use a recovery-based way of helping people with brain disorders. We identify a person’s dream, and help them build the skills for it. For example, if a person loves animals, we take them to the Animal Assistance League and let them hold animals. We work with landscaping companies, and we help them learn to bake with kitchen units. Some of them work with Meals on Wheels. They have a new way to lead a meaningful life.&uot;

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com