By Beth Grace
Mason Editor
Vroooooooooom!
e only things louder than
the motorcycles wheeling
onto the Masonic Home
for Children campus in
September were the squeals
of delight from the kids – of
ALL ages – waiting to greet
them.
Some 45 motorcycles came
roaring onto campus at high
noon Sept. 11, ending the
22nd annual Masonic Charity
Ride to MHCO from Eureka
#283 in China Grove to
Oxford.
Each rider chips in $20 per
person, which gets them a
T-shirt and lunch on campus
under the Oaks.
Over its 22 years, the
charitable ride has raised
about $356,000, including a
check from this year's race for
$32,707.83.
One of the race organizers,
Doug Earnhardt, junior
deacon at Eureka #283, told
the kids and adults gathered
on campus that this year's
race is a little more special
than normal.
He was accompanied on
stage by Eureka Master Brian
Craft. e lodge and friends
also honored three of the
race's original supporters –
the men who made it work.
Trees – sprouts from
existing oaks at MHCO
– will be planted in honor
of Brothers Jerry Edwards,
Don Lyerly and Bill Comer.
ree stone plaques with
their names and the words:
"Forever in our hearts" and
"Riding with the Angels" will
mark the base of each tree.
e crowd also took
a moment of silence to
remember the victims of
9-11 and to recognize all
first-responders and military
officers in the crowd.
Page 14 The North Carolina Mason September/October 2021
Eureka rides again for MHCO
The annual Eureka ride to MHCO raised thousands of dollars — and
the heart rates of the kids who got a close-up view of some gorgeous
bikes. Photos by Beth Grace
