One local motorcycle club is paying tribute to veterans by giving them more than just a ride on their Harleys.

The Oconee Southern Cruisers Riding Club will present “A Veteran’s Christmas Ride 2009” in which more than 400 chapters across Georgia are participating.

Southern Cruisers Riding Club First Officer Oconee Chapter Darlene Brantley said a great response has been received from the community and chapter members. Local motorcycle enthusiast and political hopeful Rusty Kidd will be grand marshal for the event.

“It’s great to have [Rusty Kidd] ride with us and help support us because he is a veteran and a motorcycle rider,” Brantley said. “For the last four years, we have been donating to nursing homes for Christmas, but we thought ‘why don’t we do something for our veterans this year.’”

Brantley also said the club’s goal is give out at least 100 gift bags, if not more for the event’s first year. Monetary donations are used by a club member to buy items needed to stuff the gift bags which will include: shaving cream, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, combs, brushes, lap blankets, slipper socks (with non-skid soles), stocking caps, hats, pens, notebooks, stamps, puzzle books, tissue paper, water bottles, and small bibles.

“I’m not sure we will be able to make a bag for every veteran, but we are gonna do what we can. I know this means a lot to a lot of people and times are really hard right now,” Brantley said via e-mail. “I wanted to let everyone know their donations are well appreciated.”

The Milledgeville Grill has donated time and money to the parade in order to honor veterans by selling barbecue plates for $7 after the ride, distributing door prizes, and even providing a band as entertainment. Several motorcycle groups and businesses across the state have already donated money and goods for the veterans; a few of them include: Lowe’s, BB&T, Beckham’s Used Cars, Exchange Bank, Louie Herron Toyota of Milledgeville, The National Guard Army, Angel’s Way Seamless Gutters, Abby’s Knoll LLC, The Old Capital Car Club, The Milledgeville Cruisers and The Iron Head Motorcycle Club.

In order to get an idea for the procession’s timing, a “pre-ride” will be held Thursday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. starting at Milledgeville Mall and ending at the Georgia War Veteran’s Home on Vinson Highway. The Milledgeville City Police Department will escort the pre-ride and the parade for the entire route; Brantley said the ride should take about 15 to 20 minutes. The official parade kickoff will be Saturday, Dec. 5 at 1:30 p.m. beginning at the mall. Brantley said anyone, whether they have a motorcycle or car, is encouraged and welcomed to join the ride by simply coming to the mall by 1 p.m. in time for the parade line-up. The Milledgeville Cafe will provide After Ride Early Dinner Specials.

“This is open to anybody who wants to ride with us and spend some time with the veterans. We just want to try to cheer up their day,” Brantley said. “Thank you to everyone for making this a special Christmas for our veterans.”

The Southern Cruisers plan to keep giving back to their community as much as possible; they are preparing to ride in the Mayor’s Motorcade at Central State Hospital Tuesday, Dec. 1, planning to participate in Wreaths Across America on Saturday, Dec. 12 and anticipating for the Poker Run sometime in March for St. Jude’s Hospital.

“Our main charity is St. Jude’s, but we try to do things for our community,” Brantley said.

For more information about the parade or if you are interested in donating by the Tuesday Dec. 1 deadline, contact Brantley at (478) 456-0256 or Raymond Goff at (478) 696-9399.