The Rev. Charlie Barnard, with First Baptist Church of Tellico Village, and his wife, Teresa, are preparing for their third motorcycle ride for charity as part of the Highways for Habitat. Church members Jack and Sherry Green will also be riding their motorcycle to Nova Scotia, Canada, as part of the fundraiser.
“Although this is our third motorcycle ride for charity, this is the first motorcycle ride we’ve taken to benefit Habitat,” Charlie Barnard said.
Last year, Charlie and Teresa rode to benefit the Good Samaritan Center of Loudon County.
Multiple sponsorship levels are available from a penny-per-mile to a dime-per-mile, or sponsors may provide a one-time donation. All sponsors will be honored as part of the departure dinner at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at the church, with a victory dinner scheduled for the couples’ return Aug. 24.
Members distributed prayer bracelets during recent services as a reminder to pray for both couples while they prepare for their upcoming trip.
Charlie arranged speaking engagements with clubs throughout Tellico Village, including the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club and the Rotary Club, to inform members about the ongoing fundraising efforts.
“Our hopes are to connect with a few Habitat builds through our travels,” Charlie said, while adding he and Teresa plan to frequently blog about their travels.
Shauna Oden, executive director of Loudon County Habitat for Humanity, said staff members are making arrangements for Charlie to visit multiple Habitat for Humanity affiliates. She spoke about the importance of the fundraising efforts.
“The whole Highways for Habitat ride is very significant,” Oden said. “One, because of promoting Habitat across the country on his blog. ... Locally, what it really means is that a family will be able to build and own a home. This money helps us continue. The whole idea of them raising funds is a blessing to us and to the family receiving the home, and it continues to help us fulfill our mission.”
A couple Charlie and Teresa met at Yellowstone National Park three years ago, Serge and Tara Comeau, are originally from Nova Scotia and have volunteered to be tour guides.
“They’re originally from Nova Scotia, and when they heard we would be traveling, they said they would be our tour guides,” Teresa said.
During their travels, Charlie will speak at churches in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Kittery, Maine; and Lewistown, Pa.
“We were planning on going on vacation anyway,” Charlie said. “It’s a win-win situation, with all proceeds going toward Habitat.”
“Any money left over — since we already have the $15,000 raised from The WannaBeatles concert in April — from the additional $15,000 needed to build, will be donated to Habitat as well,” Teresa added.
Teresa said concert attendees were “extremely generous” in their giving, as $30,000 is required to build a Habitat home.
“We hope to build a second house if we happen to raise more than $15,000,” Charlie said.Audry Young, marketing director with Chick-fil-A in Lenoir City and one of the ride’s sponsors, said she and her husband, Justin, look forward to the ride every year.
“We’re excited to support something local,” Young said. “When we first met Charlie and Teresa, it was a no-brainer that we would want to work with them. It is exciting to be a part of it.”
