Badeaux’s Hosts Bike Show to Benefit Special Olympics
Written by Noel Oliver on July 3, 2014 at 3:37 pm
“Biker Buddies 2014, Buddies for Life;” the logo, printed encircling a motorcycle was easy to spot. The parking lot of Badeaux’s Cajun Style Restaurant was full of the bright, safety orange, yellow and pink tee shirts last Saturday. The volunteers that wore them were here and there, busy about the business of their event. The well- known eat and drink spot on 360 west just outside of Keysville was the site of Biker Buddies’ first annual fundraiser for Special Olympics. It was truly a special event for a truly special cause.
The fundraiser itself was a motorcycle show, and the turnout was good. In fact, the entire event was a success. One end of the parking lot was filled with several rows of motorcycles, their owners, friends, and friends of friends all gathered in support of the cause. In the laidback atmosphere people obviously enjoyed themselves as they caught up on the latest “what’s going on?” Jason Aldean rapped out the lyrics to “Dirt Road” as groups of friends and neighbors strolled around, checking out the bikes and otherwise spent the afternoon just hanging out. Most of the bikes, hence people, were local, but a few came from as far as Amelia county to participate.
Josh Jones of Charlotte Court House organized the fundraiser. A strapping young man of 33 and married father explained his reasoning behind the event: “I remember back when I was in high school we wanted to play sports and have a big athletics program but there never seemed to be enough money. Now I’m older, married, and I got kids of my own. This is a good way to kind of pay it forward, and you know, get the community to come together for a worthy cause. The Special Olympics were last week, I know, we tried to get things together before then but this can just help for next year.” The expression in Josh’s eyes backed up every word he spoke. He was genuine right down to his handshake, and his sincerity was infectious. Everyone that showed up knew exactly why they were there, and it didn’t have so much to do with bikes.
The event had three drawings; one was the “Kids’ Choice.” Yes, there were plenty of kids present. They were busy playing games along the grass at the rear of the restaurant, away from traffic. They had a blast playing cornhole, throwing a football, or shooting hoops at the basketball goal provided. It was no surprise that the kids’ choice was a radical purple trike with a VW engine. Next was “Best Paint,” won by Bill Dawson with his beautiful, chopped gray and purple Harley Davidson. The last trophy was given for Best Overall. Tim Wilmoth of Amelia, Virginia won the category deservingly with his pristine, nearly flawless, (at least from my vantage point), 1947 Harley.
Scott handed… Have I mentioned Scott? No? Let me back up. Scott Catron competes in the Special Olympics in several events. He swims, and competes in Soccer Skills and basketball events. He has a chromosome disorder affecting the 16th and 17th chromosomes. To say Scott’s passion is motorcycles would be an understatement. Smiles and laughter filled his face, his entire aura, as each winner was announced and he was able to present the winner with the trophy for the win. His mother, Joanne, was right beside him through the presentations. Joanne, as it turns out, has been involved in Special Olympics since before Scott was born, and had in fact just returned from New Jersey with a group of Olympians, serving as their Bocchi Ball coach.
It was an especially touching and emotional moment when Tim Wilmoth, shaking hands with Scott as he accepted the trophy, turned and selflessly gave the trophy back to Scott, declaring him a winner without having to saying a word. There were few dry eyes among those that saw what happened, including my own. Later, Tim, in the same selfless manner said, “This isn’t about me or the bike.”
I was fortunate this weekend. As a rule, I am no different than most. I spend my fair share of time wondering what I could do to “make a difference,” full of ideas, few of them materialized. Saturday afternoon I had the pleasure of meeting a whole slew of people that quit wondering what to do and made a difference. In a true example of community effort, something special and unforgettable happened in the parking lot of Badeaux’s Cajun Style Restaurant Saturday afternoon. Thank you Biker Buddies, you are a good bunch of neighbors. Thank you Josh Jones, for being inspired and ambitious enough to support such a worthy cause. I look forward to your next undertaking. Tim Wilmoth of Amelia,Virginia, thank you for knowing what really matters in life and reminding us all, for a moment, how to enjoy it. Most of all, thank you Scott Catron, for showing us what a winner really is.
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