Ride for Austin promotes motorcycle safety awareness
Oct. 4—LENOIR — In September 2016, tragedy struck a local family. Now, they want to bring awareness to the community so that no other family has to experience the same loss that they did.
Austin Roberts, 19, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. He graduated West Caldwell High School in 2015 and was working at MDI. Austin had recently enlisted with the U.S. Marines and was scheduled to begin his career the following January.
On Sunday, Oct. 9, the Ride for Austin motorcycle benefit will take place at the LifeCenter Church, located at 1925 Valway Road in Lenoir.
Carol Dula, Austin's mother, is a member of LifeCenter Church and works for UNC Health Blue Ridge. Along with her husband and other volunteers at the LifeCenter, she created Ride for Austin as a memorial scholarship ride to raise funds for the Austin Roberts Memorial Scholarship through the Education Foundation of Caldwell County.
"We give out scholarships each year to students from West Caldwell, because that's where he graduated from," said Dula.
Last year, the Austin Roberts Memorial Scholarship raised $12,000 for three students.
Ride for Austin also aims to promote motorcycle safety and awareness in the community.
"We've lost a loved one due to negligence as far as motorcycle awareness and safety," Dula said. "We're wanting to promote that safety and awareness. Look twice and pay attention. If you're pulling equipment, especially in the dark, make sure you have lights and reflectors and people can see you."
Austin is remembered by many as a charismatic young man.
"Austin was a very silly kid," Dula said. "When he was killed, he had recently signed his contract for the U.S. Marines. He had intentions of being in the military for our country. He loved to fish and ride his motorcycle. He rode dirt bikes his whole life. Everybody enjoyed being around him, anyone who met him or knew him knew that he was always smiling. You don't know how many teachers told me that, even if he was in trouble, he was always smiling."
"It's been a hard six years," Dula continued. "We try to make the best of it."
Registration for the motorcycle ride will start at 11:30 a.m. The motorcycle riders will take off from the LifeCenter Church at 1:30 p.m. and ride to Taylorsville, Wilkesboro, and Statesville before circling back to the LifeCenter.
Riders can register for the motorcycle ride, which includes lunch, for $25 per person. T-shirts and raffle tickets will be sold at the event, as well as signs that read, "Look Twice, Save a Life." There will be a silent auction for several furniture pieces that have been donated for this cause. All the proceeds will go toward the scholarship funds.
Local restaurants such as Captain's Galley, Perkz Cafe, and Chubby's of Baton have donated the food that will be served. Non-riders can purchase plates for $10 each.
"It helps a lot when people donate," said Dula. "Especially the food."
For those who are unable to attend Sunday's event but are interested in supporting the Austin Roberts Memorial Scholarship, please consider donating through the CashApp at $Ride4Austin.
Follow the Ride for Austin Facebook page for more details.
