WARREN DILLAWAY / Star Beacon SPECIAL OLYMPIANS and their support team came out to thank motorcyclists participating in the American Bikers Aimed Toward Education
Concerned Motorcycle Riders of Ohio Region 13 Special Olympics run Sunday at Lake Shore Park in Ashabula Township. ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — Running and staying active is everything to Loretta Smith. But running is difficult for Smith, who always had to have a helper for her track performances. “It’s all different now,” she said. Smith is now running with a new system that allows her the freedom of performing by herself and the safety of guidance, all thanks to local contributors, ACSO coordinator Bill Jenner said. Jenner and co-coordinator Pat Whitten watched Sunday afternoon as 35 motorcycles signed up to ride for local Special Olympics at the Concerned Motorcycle Riders of Ohio, now merged with American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE). They raised money in their first charity run of the season. The event also featured the traditional Blessing of the Bikes by Rev. Philip Miller of St. Joseph’s Church in Ashtabula.
“It is so great, so fantastic, what this group does for Special Olympics every year,” Whitten said. “They come out and ride rain or shine.”