Submitted Photo

On hand for this week’s presentation of proceeds from the recent Run to the Ridge motorcycle rally are, from left, Ric Marshall and Denise Pardue of the Matthew 25:35 organization that staged it; Chuck Harmon of the Second Harvest Food Bank; Tim Elliott, who assisted with the talent lineup for the event; Chad McCreary and Tammy Denny of Matthew 25:35; and Steve Johnson of Carolina Carports Inc., primary sponsor of Run to the Ridge. This picture was taken at Veterans Memorial Park, site of the late-July rally.

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More than $15,000 is going to charitable efforts as a result of a recent motorcycle rally in Mount Airy.

Among other beneficiaries, the second-annual Run to the Ridge event held July 26-28 will result in 87,500 nutritious meals being provided to needy Surry County residents, according to a final tally from the group Matthew 25:35 Inc.

That organization, based on a Bible verse that references feeding the hungry, presented Run to the Ridge, which featured concerts by bands including Molly Hatchet, a poker run and various activities at Veterans Memorial Park such as a barbecue cook-off.

Matthew 25:35 had announced that all proceeds would go to charitable causes, with the checks presented earlier this week.

The Second Harvest Food Bank was the major recipient. The $12,500 given to that organization based in Winston-Salem will be used only for the Surry County portion of its service area. The funds will provide food to local distribution agencies.

Chuck Harmon, a food bank representative, pointed out that the money will make a huge impact in Surry County, since every dollar donated reportedly can provide seven nutritious meals.

Another $2,500 in Run to the Ridge proceeds was earmarked for the Kids of Childhood Cancer charity.

Meanwhile, $500 has found its way to the American Legion Riders as a result of vendor booth rentals at Veterans Memorial Park. The American Legion Riders are involved in much charitable work.

All proceeds from the “hog” cook-off of Run to the Ridge have been earmarked for the Surry County Schools Social Worker’s Fund.

Run to the Ridge seemed to pick up momentum this year after being launched in 2011.

“It was better than last year,” a Matthew 25:35 spokesman said of the late-July gathering.

The 2011 event led to a $10,000 food bank donation, which grew by 25 percent this year.

Organizers credited sponsorship by Carolina Carports Inc. for making Run to the Ridge possible, and also cited the role of other local sponsors including Holiday Inn, Subway, Bryan Marion Motorsports, Pepsi, Sheetz, Cooke Rentals and Mount Airy Meat Center.

Support also came from the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, along with officials of Veterans Memorial Park who allowed the continued use of that facility.

In addition to benefiting charitable causes, a Matthew 25:35 representative said Run to the Ridge was a boost to Surry County tourism and the economy overall due to the influx of visitors for the three-day rally.

Reach Tom Joyce at 719-1924 or tjoyce@heartlandpublications.com.