Biker ‘family’ rides to raise funds for city kids

Dozens of bikers took off from the Boston Medical Center’s SPARK Center yesterday to raise thousands of dollars for some of the smallest, most vulnerable children as part of the club’s annual Buddy Run.

For 10 years, the group of bikers from the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club Boston have been raising money to benefit the SPARK Center, a therapeutic day care center in Mattapan for children who have physical or emotional challenges.

The SPARK Center serves some of the city’s highest risk kids, from infants to 5-year-olds. Often, they are living with complicated medical conditions like neurodevelopmental issues, HIV or AIDS. Others are involved with the state Department of Children and Families due to issues like domestic violence and adult substance abuse.

The partnership originated years ago when the bikers delivered presents to children during the holiday season. The club now rides in memory of Phinazee “Buddy” Brown, a former Boston firefighter and club member.

The route takes riders through Stoughton, where Brown is buried, circles past Brown’s old fire station in West Roxbury and back to Mattapan.

“We wanted to find a charity within the city of Boston,” club president Dana Smith said. “We fell in love with the place. It is more than a partnership. We do what we can. It’s been a good relationship.”

“It’s family,” said Barbara Hughes, operations director of the SPARK Center.

Each year, the group aims to raise $10,000. So far, the ride has raised more than $60,000 for the SPARK Center.

STAFF PHOTOS BY STUART CAHILL SPARKS OF JOY: Riders take to the street, above and below, and check out their rides, bottom, at the Buffalo Soldiers’ 10th annual Buddy Run yesterday. David ‘Megaman’ Bowden, left at left, greets Sam Hopkins at the annual event to raise funds for the...

MEETING THE NEED: Vinny ‘Flex’ Green, above, relaxes at the Buffalo Soldiers Buddy Run, right, yesterday.