By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–A convoy of motorcycles sat outside of the Motorcycle Supply Store in Helena the afternoon of Saturday, June 3, but none of these motorcycles were waiting to be fixed or tuned up.

Approximately 45 riders gathered at the Motorcycle Supply Store to participate in the inaugural Miracle Ride to benefit the Helena Miracle League organization.

The ride was sponsored by Motorcycle Supply Store and the funds raised from the event will help establish a future baseball field to provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play Miracle League Baseball.

Helena resident Norman Wilkins was one of those participating in the charity ride saying he heard about the event through storeowner Alan Farmer.

Wilkins sat atop his Kawasaki Vulcan 900 motorcycle near the front of the line before kickstands went up at 2:30 p.m.

“I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was 14 years old,” Wilkins said. “This is the first time I’ve ever done a ride like this to benefit the community.”

Wilkins said he has been a resident of Helena since 1998 and originally bought the fifth house in the Old Cahaba neighborhood.

“I just like the fact that Helena still has the small town feel and the friendliness of the people is hard to beat,” Wilkins said.

The overall mood of the event was upbeat and everyone seemed happy that the rain held off for the ride that followed a path from Helena to Montevallo, through the Cahaba Wildlife Management area and then back to Helena to enjoy the Food Truck Rally that followed at the Helena Sports Complex.

The Helena Miracle League project will include a 125-foot baseball field with a mission to provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play Miracle League Baseball, regardless of their abilities, promote community support and sponsorship of Miracle Leagues and promote the construction of special facilities that meet the unique needs of Miracle League players and their families.

The volunteers with the Helena Miracle League organization have a two-year plan that includes matching funds from grants and the league hopes to raise target funds of $691,000 in different tiers to complete the project. The goal is to start playing baseball in two years once all the fundraising goals are met.

Prior to the ride, a 50/50 raffle ticket was held and several local businesses donated gift cards for door prizes. After the ride, riders and their families had the opportunity to enjoy some great food from various food trucks at the sports complex that also benefitted the league.

For more information on the Helena Miracle League, visit Facebook.com/HMLAngels or Helenamiracleleague.com.