CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — Motorcyclists from all across the East Coast came together on Sunday to cheer up a young boy in south-central Pa.
Brian Yoder was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a disease that causes progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. Last year he was able to travel to Ocean City Bike Week and made quite the impression, handing out hogs to all the motorcyclists.
"Brian hands out little hogs because of Harley Davidson, one of the bikes is called a hog, so whenever he sees a bike that he likes we give hogs to the guys," explained Jean Yoder, Brian's mom.
Unfortunately, due to health reasons, Bryan was unable to make the trip this year.
That's when a group of good Samaritans stepped up to the plate.
"His mom posted a message on Facebook that because his health wasn't the greatest this year he wasn't gonna make Bike Week," explained event organizer Darleen Hefenfinger. "So I got my wheels turning and [thought], 'You know what, why don't we just go by his house and make him happy?'"
The idea blossomed into Ride for Brian's Smile.
"We just know he loves bikes, so we're gonna bring Bike Week to him," said event organizer Bryan Hefenfinger. "There's no money involved in this whatsoever, we just want to make him happy."
And the goal was clear, make Brian smile!
"It's a lot of bikes, so hopefully we're gonna put a smile on his face," said Darleen.
"It's awesome," Yoder agreed. "[Just] because of the support that they give Brian."