Sandhills Chapter No. 72 of the American Legion Riders conducted the annual Lake Waccamaw Ride on April 30, with all proceeds benefiting the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina Inc.

Chapter No. 72 is a program of Aberdeen American Legion Post No. 72 that brings area members of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion together to promote motorcycle safety and programs of the American Legion.

In late 2009, the chapter was asked if it would be interested in organizing a ride to benefit the Boys and Girls Homes. Chapter members said there was no question that the organization shares in goals of the American Legion's children and youth programs, so planning began, a spokesman said.

Last year, Chapter No. 72 was joined by others in North Carolina, and the ride raised more than $2,000 in its first year. This year, the chapter changed the format to a "Chapter Challenge" in which other groups were challenged to organize their own ride and fundraising activities, and present their own check to the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina Inc.

The chapter presenting the largest check received a plaque for the next year, which went to the Sandhills chapter. Clayton Chapter No. 71 and Burgaw Chapter No. 165 joined Chapter No. 72 to raise more than $2,225 this year.

The Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina Inc. is a nonsectarian, nonprofit agency that provides a family environment for at-risk children needing an out-of-home setting. The campus is on the shores of Lake Waccamaw in southeastern North Carolina.

More than 3,000 children from across North Carolina have benefited since the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina was founded in 1954, a news release said.

The goal is reuniting the children with their families. >When this is impossible, the homes provide permanent care until the child reaches adulthood. > It also provides financial assistance to those wishing to continue their post-secondary education.

Members of Chapter No. 72 are among more than 106,000 American Legion riders in more than 1,000 chapters.

Riders in Mulvane, Kan., for example, founded the Patriot Guard to protect the sanctity of military funerals from protesters.

Riders in all states have escorted military units returning home from combat tours overseas, conducted massive cross-country fundraising events >for wounded warriors from all services and have raised millions of dollars for countless local, state and national charities, a news release said.

A spokesman for the chapter thanked all of the sponsors and riders who helped make the second annual Lake Waccamaw Ride a success. The chapter is already planning next year's ride