HCBC rides for Kevin Morris, HCBDD
Kevin Morris, left, joined Scott Fluhart, president of the Holmes Conservation Beagle Club, for a photo opportunity prior to Morris’ passing last year. Morris was a favorite of both the club and the Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities organization, and the HCBC recently made a nice donation to the training center on behalf of Morris.
Kevin Morris, with his big smile and even bigger personality, was one of those people who seemed to bring a bit of life and joy into every life he touched before his passing last year.
On April 15, the members of the Holmes Conservation Beagle Club of Holmesville honored Morris’ life with the inaugural Kevin Morris Memorial ATV Run.
After a hugely successful event, several members of the club got together with Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities superintendent Marianne Mader Tuesday, May 2, and presented her with a check for $1,500 in Morris’ honor.
“One of our former officers years ago started bringing Kevin around, and he turned into everybody’s buddy,” said HCBC president Scott Fluhart. “He just kind of endeared himself to all of us and became a big part of our group.”
Mader said Morris, who was a longtime Board of DD individual, was one of those people who could strike up a conversation with anyone and brighten their day in the process.
“He was a true one of a kind,” Mader said of Morris.
Member Karen Fluhart said many of the people who showed up for the event were not club members but were individuals who wanted to celebrate Morris’ life.
According to Scott Fluhart, the ATV Run saw 95 vehicles participate with more than 200 people attending. He said they knew when they designed the run that they would donate to the center because of what it meant to Morris.
The run saw the participants do a poker run, and they rode 80-plus miles throughout the entire trek, which ended up back in Holmesville, where they all enjoyed a huge meal. That the weather on the day of the event went from blazing hot sun to stormy rainclouds didn’t deter any of the fun, nor the commitment of the group to support both Morris and the Board of DD.
“We knew we wanted to do something special in Kevin’s memory, and he liked Harley Davidsons, and we thought an ATV would be more fitting for that time of the year,” Scott Fluhart said. “It worked well enough that we will start making it an annual event.”
Mader said the plan is to put the donation toward the additional playground equipment that is being installed on the north side of the facility.
As for future events, Scott Fluhart said they would discuss where the club would donate funds.
“We like to get involved with donating to various organizations,” said club treasurer Austin Thomas.
Member Aden Miller has been the recipient of the club’s giving nature when they held a fundraiser for his wife who was dealing with cancer. That effort raised $27,000. She is in remission, and Miller said he can never express enough gratitude to the club members for their support.
Club secretary Ashley Fluhart said the club has many activities designed for kids and the entire family, including an upcoming kids’ fishing tournament in June.
After accepting the donation, Mader said the Board of DD will forever be indebted to organizations like the HCBC, which gives generously from the heart.
“That type of support is so important to everything we want to accomplish in serving the community, and we have been so blessed to have this kind of support from so many who understand the importance of the many services we provide to families with individuals with special needs,” Mader said.
Anyone wishing to learn more about the Holmes Conservation Beagle Club or become involved as a member is invited to visit the club’s Facebook page.
“We welcome anyone who wants to join,” Scott Fluhart said. “We are open every Thursday evening and Sundays, and people can stop in and fill out a membership application.”
The Holmes Conservation Beagle Club is located at 221 Franklin Street just west of state Route 83 in Holmesville.