Eddie Teems joins a lot of motorcycle charity rides to raise money for local causes.

This month, he’s helping to organize one to help his stepbrother, Douglasville native Kenny Sorrows.

“We’re trying to get him a wheelchair-accessible van so he can have independence,” Teems said.

Sorrows has multiple sclerosis and can’t get anywhere without a wheelchair.

“Kenny was always such an active guy – not one to sit around the house,” said fellow organizer Renee Kilian. “He always especially loved to hunt. He was always on the go, and now he has to be totally dependent on others to run errands, go to the doctor, get to church, etc. It’s so easy to take your independence for granted until you’re affected by something like this.”

The church that Ms. Kilian and Sorrows attend has lent its parking lot for the bikers’ event, which will include barbecue for $5 a plate, a silent auction, door prizes and a live country band called Cotton Road.

Kenny’s Freedom and Independence Motorcycle Poker Run fundraiser will start with registration for the bikers’ poker run at 10 a.m. Sept. 18, in the Crossroads Church parking lot, 5960 Stewart Parkway in Douglasville.

The ride will begin at 11 a.m. and should end around 3 p.m. The cost is $25 per rider, $10 per passenger, and $5 for extra poker cards.

“Eddie’s been great, trying to get as many bikers to participate as possible,” Ms. Kilian said. “He has really been a godsend to [Sorrows], taking him everywhere he needs to go, cutting his grass.”

She said everybody in town knows Sorrows, her former high school classmate.

“It’s so amazing to see him battling such a crippling disease and still have the outlook on life that he does,” she said. “Every time I talk to Kenny he goes on about how blessed he is – never ‘why me?’ His positive outlook, his faith in God and his sense of humor make him a true blessing to know and love. That’s why we are doing this for him.”

Information: (404) 277-8347 or (770) 306-2794.