By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Participants throughout the area are revving up to take part in the seventh annual Niles Burn Run, taking place Sunday, July 20. The motorcycle run benefits the Great Lakes Burn Camp, a camp that dedicates itself especially to children who have suffered traumatic burn injuries.
The 50-mile ride begins and concludes at the Niles Apple Festival grounds at Lake and 17th Street and is escorted by police, fire and EMS crews through Berrien and Cass counties.
"It's just a great cause and it hits very close to home for a lot of us," said Lt. Doug Myers of the Niles Township Fire Department.
Aside from Myers, many who take part in the run and the day's activities, are members of emergency service teams including fire, police and EMTs.
Myers started the run seven years ago. "We had gone to the MDA ride in South Bend," he said. "And I wanted to bring something like that to Niles."
More than 380 motorcycles took place in the ride last year and hundreds more took part in the activities on the grounds. Following the run there will be live music and a hog roast, awards, games and a variety of vendors.
Sponsors of this year's run include United Federal Credit Union, Wings Etc. and the fire fighters of Niles City, Niles Township, Coloma/Hagar, Bertrand Township, Buchanan City and Buchanan township departments.
Legends Bar &Grill of Edwardsburg is not only also a sponsor this year, but are donating a one of a kind custom motorcycle – the "Burn Run Chopper."
People not taking part in the run are still invited to visit the festivities at the grounds.
Online registration is over. Anyone who wants to take part can register at 9 a.m. Sunday at the grounds. A pancake breakfast will also be taking place at that time. The Christian Motorcycle Association will be having a "Biker Service" at 9:30 a.m. and the escorted ride will take off at noon.
Money raised through the event goes to the camp and is used according to their discretion. Myers said the camp can use the money for whatever they need. Many of the children's families may not be able to pay for them to attend. At the camp, children are able to deal with the traumas they've suffered by finding support in other children who have had similar experiences and face similar struggles. The Great Lakes Burn Camp doesn't charge for the children to stay. Money from the Niles Burn Run doesn't just fund operations – it funds the process that helps children who have suffered at the hands of fire to heal.
To learn more about the run, or find out about having the chance to win a Legends custom motorcycle visit www.nilesburnrun.com. Raffle tickets are $20 and available at Legends in Edwardsburg and on the day of the run.