BIKER NEWS: Biker group recognized for helping abused children

BN- Members of the Eastern Panhandle chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse International were recognized Monday by U.S. Rep. Alex X Mooney for the group's volunteer work with the Children's Home Society of West Virginia in Martinsburg.

"They support all of our programs, they're kind of ... the 'Lone Rangers.' They come in when a child needs help, and it can be anything," Deborah Barthlow, regional director of the local Children's Home Sociey, said of BACA's support.

The Eastern Panhandle chapter, which has about 30 members, primarily supports children who have been sexually abused, but Barthlow said they also have provided a wide array of services to the Children's Home Society's Martinsburg site, including dressing up as elves at Christmas and handing out gifts to children.

Victoria Slater-Madert, child and family services supervisor at the Children's Home Society, said the motorcycle group's support has been consistently reliable since group members showed up at her office one day about 10 years ago.

"It works, and it has since we started, and they've been there for the long haul, too," Slater-Madert said. "We've had kids we've seen, and unfortunately, we've seen them four years later, and BACA is still there."

Mooney, R-W.Va., who presented the group with a certificate of appreciation, said he is proud to see members of the community coming together to help children.

"These are folks that volunteer their time because they care about the children of the community, and we need people who care enough to give their time and their talents and their skills, to let the children know that they're not forgotten, that someone cares about them," Mooney said.

The motorcycle group's mission is to create a safer environment for abused children, according to the organization's website.

"We do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner, however, if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from further abuse, we stand ready to be that obstacle," the group's mission statement said.

Source: http://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/tri_state/west_virginia/biker-group-recognized-for-helping-abused-children/article_6dc575b6-7152-11e5-8172-97e5f6ec58c5.html