ASHLAND — Rusty Bellomy’s mission rolled on Saturday as motorcycle enthusiasts from several states gathered under sunny skies for a tour through the area.
Most of the riders reached into their own pockets to add a little something extra to the collection plate as members of the Bikers for Christ organization worked to raise money to help pay medical bills for Kristoffer Callaway.
“Kristoffer had a lot of medical bills,” said Bikers for Christ Elder Ron “Fatdad” Rucker as a steady stream of rumbling machines pulled into the parking lot at First Church of the Nazarene Saturday morning. “If we only raise $5, then that’s $5 they didn’t have.”
Callaway was severely injured in the motorcycle accident that took Bellomy’s life. Police said Bellomy was riding his Kawasaki motorcycle with Callaway, his grandson, as his passenger when a Ford pickup truck driven by 21-year-old Billy Barker crossed the center line and collided with the motorcycle. Barker was later sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault charges. Authorities said Barker’s blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit and that he had been smoking marijuana and ingested the prescription narcotic Vicodin before the accident.
Saturday’s rally was organized in the church parking lot where Bellomy and Kristoffer began their last ride together.
“Rusty was a missionary — a Christian man,” Rucker said, explaining fellow Bikers for Christ members from the Tri-State as well as Tennessee and North Carolina made a point to join Saturday’s memorial benefit. “We’re hoping for 200 bikes.”
Rucker said he became aware of the Callaway family’s needs after meeting Kristoffer and his father during a church service. He drafted an e-mail explaining the situation to members of the international club’s members, and seemed humbled by their overwhelming response.
“We are unified as far as our cause,” he said, adding “Who better to help him than us, his brothers in Christ and his brothers in motorcycles?”
Riders Bubba Blair, Joe Drake and Rowdy Raber came from the Tennessee cities of Nashville, Alexandria and Pikeville, to do their part.
“Kristoffer is the reason we’re here,” said Blair, as Drake and Raber nodded in agreement.
Information about Bikers for Christ is available on the Internet, and contributions to the local effort can be mailed to BFC, P.O. Box 244, Ashland KY 41105. Rucker asks supporters to note the name “Rusty Bellomy” with any donations to help Callaway.
“Whatever people send donations for, we honor it,” said Rucker.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Kevin Goldy
Discussion
Multimedia: Ride for Rusty
Bikers for Christ gather to remember friend
- Local News
-
-
LRC plans to appeal judge’s ruling
The leadership of the General Assembly announced Thursday it plans to appeal Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd’s ruling that the legislature’s plan to re-draw state legislative boundaries is unconstitutional.
-
School personnel pleased to be in ‘unprecedented’ territory with snow days
Mid-February usually is the time when school administrators start worrying about how many days they will have to tack on to the end of the year to make up for the ones missed because of snow.
-
Opposition to planned sewer extension
The Boyd County Fiscal Court could be removing $60,000 in grant money after complaints about the sewer project it would have funded.
-
Business touts better living
Yvette Pennington is a true believer in the power of living better as we live longer.
-
Police beat: 2/9/12
The following information was taken from Ashland Police Department reports:
-
Safe Harbor benefits from Shop and Share Day
Shop and Share Day brought a record number of donations to Safe Harbor of Northeast Kentucky.
-
Local briefs: 2/9/12
For the fifth year in a row, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has given the Southern Ohio Medical Center Cancer Center funding to support the Hands of Hope grant program.
-
Judge's ruling paralyzes General Assembly
Confusion reigns in the wake a judge’s ruling that state redistricting maps passed by the General Assembly are unconstitutional. That ruling says until the legislature offers a plan which meets constitutional muster, 2012 candidates for the legislature must run in the districts drawn 10 years ago.
-
10 most romantic hotels in the U.S.
Valentine’s Day will be here soon, and a romantic getaway may be just what the heart needs. TripAdvisor has released its list of the 10 most romantic hotels in the country, based on travelers’ reviews about the beautiful scenery, friendly staffs and romantic amenities like hot tubs and fireplaces.
-
Search for new ACTC president to begin soon
A national search will begin soon to replace Ashland Community and Technical College President Gregory D. Adkins, who is retiring.
- More Local News Headlines
-
LRC plans to appeal judge’s ruling
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
