LAKE COUNTY ? A benefit motorcycle run will be held on Saturday, July 12 with proceeds directed toward the youth of Lake County. “Ride For Life,” sponsored by Lakeshore Inn bar and lounge in Clearlake, will support Lake County Community Action Agency (LCCAA)”s effort to bring the first safe house to the county.
The ride will roll out from St. Mary”s Immaculate Church, 801 North Main Street in Lakeport following a bike blessing ceremony. The ride will continue through the south county area with the final destination being Lakeshore Inn on Lakeshore Drive. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Cost is $25 per person and includes a ride pin for the first 100 participants who register. Pre-registration is encouraged.
At Lakeshore Inn, participants and guests will enjoy free Chinese food, courtesy of the Sunflower Restaurant as well as music by the Lost Coast Smugglers. A raffle will also take place.
After being so warmly welcomed by the community as new owners of the Lakeshore Inn, Donna and Wes Walker said they wanted to do something to give back to the community. “We have a soft spot for the children, especially abused children,” said Wes Walker. “There are too many kids left out on the streets these days and the Safe House project is a long-overdue solution to try to save these kids and help guide them in the right direction.”
Donna Walker said she noticed in raising her own children that many youngsters lack the parental guidance they need to live happy, healthy and successful lives. She also feels that despite whatever a child may have done or what may have happened to him or her to lead them in the wrong direction, that there is always a way to steer them down the right path.
“The past is the past but the future is everything,” she said. “My kids are excelling now and I believe that given the right guidance, any child can do great things, but the community has to help. We have to come together and guide these children, care for these children and love these children.
“I think that it”s our responsibility as parents, adults, business owners and just plain community members to support projects that help our communities, especially when the project protects our children,” Donna Walker concluded.
The Safe House of Lake County will provide a short-term residence and a comprehensive program of services for runaway, homeless and “throwaway” youth younger than 18 years. The program will serve youth throughout Lake County. According to LCCAA Executive Director Georgina Lehne, this will be the first safe house for at-risk children in the history of Lake County.
For pre-registration information visit www.myspace.com/lakeshoreinn95422; or send a check payable to Lakeshore Inn, c/o Donna Walker LCCAA Run to PO Box 1887, Nice, CA 95464.
The Walkers would like to thank Dennis Dow, of Airport Auto Brokers, for his help in organizing the event as well as the Clearlake Police Department for authorizing the noise permit for afternoon”s entertainment.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
