SOPHIA, WV (WOAY) – Burning Rock Off-Road Park in Sophia, West Virginia hosted dozens of UTV riders all contributing to a good cause; making Christmas a little brighter for kids less fortunate.
“I’m absolutely humbled by the amount of people that showed up and the amount of toys, and so glad to have an opportunity to give back to our community,” says Burning Rock Marketing Director, Dyane Corcoran.
A couple of West Virginia Jeep clubs, a multi-state off-road organization, park guests, locals and their families make up the riders contributing to the cause.
Offroad Hooligunz, brings in riders from Virginia and North Carolina to take part in the effort every year. Lewis Matthis, a North Carolina rider with the group says this year there more toys than ever before.
“This year we actually had the most toys we ever brought up. So, we did a little fundraiser and bought a toy side-by-side, and I sold raffle tickets for that side-by-side,” says Matthis. I think I paid $100 for it and we ended up turning that $100 into $1,000, so you know when you turn a 100 into 1,000, that helps a lot more kids.”
Not only has this year been the most successful, but it’s also the biggest, as riders are having to split up.
While side-by-side riding on the long stretches of trails throughout the park is a good time on any occasion, this ride felt particularly good.
“It gets better and better, it touches our hearts, it’s just something we can do for other people and you know, that’s what God wants us to do, he wants us to help one another,” Matthis says.
Along with Offroad Hooligunz, Mountaineer Jeep Mafia and West Virginia Jeep Club were the other organizations involved in the effort.
You can find out more about Burning Rock Off-Road Park on their website or on their Facebook page. You can also search for the other organization that was involved in the ride on Facebook.
