CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - Bikers Rule for School

Bikers Rule for School

By Anthony Austin

PATH, Gap broadcasting, and East Texas bikers made history Saturday.

They traveled 105 miles across East Texas with a goal in mind. They wanted to make sure needy East Texas kids have school supplies when they walk into their classrooms this August.

Engines are revved and helmets are fastened tight. These bikers are gathered in the Broadway Square Mall parking lot for a good cause.

They're helping thousands of East Texas children who might not have the tools they need this school year.

"That's too many kids and that's why we're here today," Gunny Moore told CBS 19.

Gunny Moore is breaking the stereotype of the rough and rugged biker.

"You know they're not mean and leather and all that," said Moore, "Most of them are good people, so we want to show the community bikers care about the kids."

Hundreds of motorcycles, followed by a yellow-four wheeled ride, made their way through East Texas towns collecting everything from pens to notebooks.

"They need these supplies to be successful in school, these are the tools of their trade," said Becky Duncan, PATH Community Outreach Coordinator.

By making the trek, PATH's Community Outreach Coordinator, Becky Duncan, believes more school supplies will be collected. She said the need is bigger this year.

"They're becoming more and more expensive and the list for school supplies is getting longer," explained Duncan.

At a stop in Whitehouse, we met Teresa Bailey who understands the high cost of school supplies.

"I have two school aged kids, I know how much it cost to buy school supplies," Teresa Bailey commented.

So, Bailey and her two boys are donating some pencils and paper to help out.

"I want them to start off this year and have the right supplies they need," explained Bailey.

At the end of the day, they hope this bus is full, and a difference is made.

"Are we going to get where we need to be? I don't know but we're going to give it a good shot," added Moore.

The group collected 20,000 items of school supplies and $4,500 in monetary donations. The school supplies will given out on an as-needed basis to area schools.