The Chester County chapter of the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education (A.B.A.T.E.) will hold its annual bike ride to benefit Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors on Saturday, Aug. 16, beginning and ending at the Parkesburg VFW, 406 W. Fourth Ave., Parkesburg.

Registration will be held from 8 to 8:45 a.m., and the ride will begin at 9 a.m. Participants will be asked to pay a registration donation, which will include a picnic lunch after the ride.

The riders will travel from Parkesburg to Post 5892 in Hockessin, Del., to Kennett Square VFW Post 5467 and then return to Parkesburg.

The ride averages between 50 and 100 motorcycles, according to event organizers. Last year, however, rain curtailed the ride, so about 30 riders attended. "We had a lot of food left over, which we donated to several charities in Parkesburg," said Stephen Sinson of Cochranville, chapter president.

The ride attracts riders from various clubs and organizations, but individual riders are also welcome. "We have a core group of A.B.A.T.E. members, including those from Lancaster and Lehigh Valley," noted Sinson. "A lot of clubs show up, including the Four Seasons Motorcycle Club from Delaware. Everyone is invited, club or not."

Sinson emphasized that the ride benefits Pennsylvania (PA) Wounded Warriors, an organization that is not affiliated with the Wounded Warrior Project. PA Wounded Warriors offers emergency financial assistance to help veterans cover essential expenses such as housing, transportation, medical care and utility bills. More information about the organization is available at www.pawoundedwarriors.org.

The Chester County chapter of A.B.A.T.E. is a nonprofit organization of bikers that formed in 1983. The chapter has about 125 members, who hail from all over Chester County. It is not necessary to own a motorcycle to join.

"We promote motorcycle awareness, and we work with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to promote safety, and we fight for freedom of our rights as motorcyclists. We also do outreach to the community and provide help and services," said Sinson. "We will do motorcycle rides for different charities, and we support the VFW in Parkesburg."

The club's annual charity rides include one for Kacie's Cause and another for the Oxford Neighborhood Area Services Center. "We had a drug awareness ride to benefit Kacie's Cause in April. We will present a check at their annual car show (in the fall)," Sinson noted. "We also have a food run every year for Oxford. This past year, we collected 2,000 pounds of food and $800 (in monetary donations)."

One of the club's most recent events was its annual Ride for Aston in May, which also began and ended at the Parkesburg VFW. The ride helped pay for medical bills for a young man with several chronic illnesses, including Prader-Willi syndrome.

The Chester County chapter meets on the first Sunday of the month at noon at the Parkesburg VFW. "That is a public meeting; everyone is invited to come see what we are about," Sinson said.

To learn more about Chester County A.B.A.T.E. and the upcoming ride, search for "Chester County ABATE" on Facebook.

The upcoming event will take place rain or shine. "We are motorcycle riders. If it's hot, we don't care," said Sinson. "Unless it's dangerous, we will ride."