‘Keep Your Neighbor Warm’
WAMY motorcycle charity event revs up Oct. 25

By Cara Kelly

Although most motorcyclists typically ride their favorite two-wheeled vehicles for personal enjoyment, WAMY Community Action Inc. has thought of a way to turn a leisurely ride into a beneficial event for community members in need.

The first “Keep Your Neighbor Warm” charity motorcycle ride will help WAMY raise funds for heating assistance in community members’ homes in the High Country.

“We are raising money to assist the low income, elderly and disabled clients who are receiving our services with heating assistance this winter,” executive director Angela Miller said.

The combination of predictions of severe cold weather and uncharacteristically high fuel prices has WAMY staff worried about a difficult winter season for community members who are struggling with the current economic downturn.

WAMY receives grant money to help with its weatherization assistance and heating appliance repair and replacement programs. The purpose of the programs is to enable low-income families permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient.

On average, heating bills are reduced by 31 percent if appropriate weatherization measures are taken and can save $358 per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

“We see it as being really important that the energy efficiency measures and fuel assistance go hand in hand,” WAMY development director Lisa Redman said. “What is the put of providing a heating system if it is just going to go out the cracks of the windows and the cracks?”she asked.

Weatherization measures available to clients include: air sealing, caulking and weather stripping, attic and floor insulation, heating and air-conditioning system testing, cleaning and tuning of central furnaces, sealing and insulation of ductwork, water heater and pipe insulation and installation of energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.

Although WAMY has funds through grant allocations for weatherization and heating appliance repair, it does not receive funding for fuel assistance.

“When we go in and weatherize homes, we can put a monitor in if they don’t have a heating source, but we can’t buy the oil barrel or heating fuel. If we have a situation such as that, money raised by this event is going to help with those things, so we can give clients a fully operating heating system,” Miller said.

Participants in the ride will meet at the Boone Mall on Oct. 25 at 10 a.m. Breakfast biscuits and coffee will be served before the beginning of the ride.

The Watauga County Sheriff’s Office will be escorting riders down N.C. 105 into Avery County. The ride will continue for 75 miles on beautiful scenic byways into Mitchell and Yancey counties before ending in Burnsville, so riders will see the four counties served by WAMY.

“We are going to be on some roads that bikers are familiar with, like Loafer’s Glory in Yancey County. These roads are exciting and pleasurable to ride on motorcycles,” Miller said.

Early registration is $20 for single riders and couples. Riders can also register the day of the event for $20 for singles and $25 for couples.

Cash donations are also accepted and tax deductable for donors who are not interested in riding.

For more information or to register early, call Angie or Lisa at (828) 264-2421 or send an e-mail to admnwamy@bellsouth.net.