For most people, the word "reading" evokes images of a solitary, sedentary pastime, practiced in a serene silence broken only by the whisper of turning pages.
But for at least one local organization, reading and literacy events are best celebrated with a commotion – or even a disruption – and set against a background of throbbing chrome and steel machines and the roar of powerful engines.
When two dozen Riders for Readers rolled onto the Laburnum Elementary School campus on May 30, the scene was precisely that – and exactly what Eric Engler had in mind when he developed the program four years ago.
"I wanted to promote literacy in a different way, and provide books kids enjoy," said Engler, who calls himself "president and janitor" of Velocity Motorcycles.
A member of the Huguenot Trail Rotary, Engler enlisted the help of Rotarians from several clubs, as well as members of the Richmond BMW Riders and a local unit of the Buffalo Soldiers, to visit LES and park their bikes amid tables groaning with donated books. The riders talked about reading to fourth and fifth graders – often seated astride a bike – asking what books they had at home and encouraging them to build home libraries and develop a habit of pleasure reading.
In four years, said Engler, Riders for Readers has served 2,600 students in Virginia and Florida from schools with a high proportion of at-risk students. Books and event t-shirts for the children and faculty are funded by a partnership of motorcyclists and non-profit organizations. Participating riders and passengers also donate a registration fee, and Velocity Motorcycles collects donations year-round in addition to storing the books.
Engler's goal is to involve as many Rotary clubs as possible in the program. "And the subplot," he added, "is to create something any Rotary can conduct, and every principal can tweak it however they want." Laburnum, for instance, holds the event for fifth graders, but invites the fourth graders to watch to motivate them for next year.
Observing the event was Jim Bynum (shown with students on photo), assistant governor of the local Rotary district, who was struck both by the enthusiasm of the children and the participation of groups from across the region. "So many things in Richmond," said Bynum, "tend to be territorial. Not this."
Harold Davis, Jr., representing Richmond-area Buffalo Soldiers, said it was the chapter's first time participating in Riders for Readers – but likely not the last. An organization named for the first peacetime African American military unit, the Buffalo Soldiers ride for charity almost every weekend and support veterans' programs at McGuire Veterans Hospital.
And not only was the event a good fit for the Soldiers, it was also a family affair for Davis. One fellow rider just happened to be his father, Harold Sr., a 1958 graduate of Va. Randolph High School.
John Strotmeyer, a rider from the Western Henrico Rotary Club, surveyed the scene of excited readers chatting with motorcyclists and said he planned to return next year as well.
"This," said Strotmeyer, "is probably the most worthwhile thing I've done all month."
Riders for Readers is seeking individual and corporate sponsors to help bring books to more children; for information contact Eric at 353-3456 or eric@velocityvintage.com, or visit velocityvintage.com/RidersforReaders.htm
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