Motorcyclists set to ride against domestic violence

The Friends of the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County (DVCCC) is hosting its first annual “Stop the Cycle” Ride Against Domestic Violence this Saturday, Sept. 30, featuring a convoy of motorcycles travelling through the rolling hills of Chester County to raise money and to make a powerful statement against domestic abuse.

This event, which helps kick off Domestic Violence Awareness Month running through October, has involved the participation of numerous motorcycle groups consisting of police officers, lawyers, medical professionals and first responders, business owners and many other civic leaders. Word of the event has spread to over 10,000 people and riders are expected to travel over 100 miles to participate in this inaugural event.

DVCCC Advisory Committee member and event chair Vicki Weatherby conceived of this event to bring awareness directly into the community: “I’ve always had a love of motorcycles since I was a teenager. So I started to think of a fundraiser for the community that’s affordable, that would incorporate a motorcycle ride and end with a family event that everyone could enjoy. That would show how truly kind and charitable motorcycle riders and organizations are in helping their community.”

Road Captain Bruce Mangini’s 40 mile route travels through Concordville and will pass through the villages of Pocopson, Marshallton, Thorndale and other bucolic Chester County hamlets. Cycle registration begins at 9 a.m. at Hannum’s Harley Davidson, 1241 Baltimore Pike in Chadd’s Ford. Kickstands go up and the ride officially begins at 10:30 a.m.

Non-riders are welcome to join the post-ride Family Fun celebration at Power Place, 576 Rosedale Road, #10, in Kennett Square, an event featuring karaoke, face painting, a moon bounce, children’s crafts and more. Food is being generously provided by Something Grilled of Exton, Texas Roadhouse, Johnny’s BBQ, Olive Garden, Jimmy John’s, and Pepsi, among others. Special awards will be presented for riders and for attendees of the Family Fun event, honoring those who travelled the furthest to attend the event by motorcycle or by car, the oldest motorcycle and the oldest attendee at the event, and the largest family in attendance.

The event title was not unintentional. Abuse is identifiable as being cyclical in two ways; it is both gen-

This event, which helps kick off Domestic Violence Awareness Month running through October, has involved the participation of numerous motorcycle groups consisting of police officers, lawyers, medical professionals and first responders, business owners and many other civic leaders.

erational and episodic. Generational cycles of abuse are passed down, by example and exposure, from parents to children. Within a relationship, the cycle can happen hundreds of times. Each stage often lasts a different amount of time; the total cycle can take anywhere from a few hours to a year or more to complete. It is important to remember that not all domestic violence relationships fit the cycle. Often, as time goes on, the ‘making-up’ and ‘calm’ stages disappear. The Domestic Violence Center of Chester County has been offering services to victims in the community since 1976.

Sponsors for this event include SERVPRO Industries, Inc. of Kennett Square/Oxford, and Pennington’s Auto Body, M&M Tattooing, Star Laser Inc., Swig - Event Staffing & Coordination, and Wiley’s Car Care. The Friends Committee has also received tremendous support from the business community in raffle item contributions toward this exciting event.

Participation in the ride is a suggested donation of $15 per person or $25 for a rider with a companion, which includes the postride Family Fun event. Participation in the Family Fun event is $15; children under 12 are free. Tickets are currently available at dvccc.com. Rain date is Sunday, October 1 beginning at 12:00 p.m. (check our website for details). For more information, call (484) 983-5770.

The Mission of the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County is to provide intervention, programs, outreach and advocacy to prevent, reduce and remedy domestic violence in Chester County.