CONTRIBUTED

One sunny and slightly breezy Saturday in November, three avid motorcyclists gave up a perfectly good day of riding to instead deliver a truckload of food to the Friend to Friend domestic violence shelter Serenity House in Moore County.

This holiday meal, to serve dozens of clients - victims of abusive relationships, sexual assault and physical violence in Moore County and surrounding areas - resulted from the charity fundraiser October 2010 Sandhills Bikerfest. Organizers of the three-day event that took place in Cameron at the Campbell Farm hail it as a huge success.

"Their hard work and commitment to serving holiday-style meals to needy families and individuals, young, old and in-between, resulted in Friend to Friend being just one of the fortunate beneficiaries of the cooking prowess of James Swearengin, Roger Felton and Billy Campbell," says a spokesman.

Anne Friesen, executive director of Friend to Friend, said, "So much of what we know of love we learn from home. Here at Serenity House, we are blessed to feel the outpouring of love from our community. During the holiday season, Friend to Friend relies on the generosity of donors, and we appreciate groups like the Sandhills Bikerfest, St. Joseph of the Pines and Santa, who donate their time and money to make a day like this happen."

The three delivered two large, roasted juicy turkeys with all the fixings to Serenity House and diligently made sure the contents of each tray and serving bowl were kept warm. Members of the Friend to Friend board of directors served the children, mothers, grandmothers, staff and invited guests who sat at festively decorated dining room tables.

Friend to Friend staff and volunteers mingled with all present and Santa - Jim Horne - dispersed gifts to the children compliments of St. Joseph of the Pines, while Winston the therapy dog danced and gave a lot of wet kisses.

"We are very happy to be able to do this for Friend to Friend," said Swearengin, of J and K Leather, in Sanford.