T’ville restaurant plans benefit ride

The Christian Prayer Riders and Smokehouse Restaurant in Turbeville will be hosting a benefit ride for B.J. Wilkes this Saturday, July 17. Wilkes was born with only one pumping chamber in his heart. Doctors told his parents that they would have to operate once he got older.

As of May, Wilkes has had surgery twice to correct his condition. He is only four-years-old.

Wilkes is currently at MUSC Children’s Hospital in Charleston, and will soon be going to Charlotte for rehabilitation. He is doing better but remains in critical condition according to Freddie Huth, a friend of the family.                                     

A few months ago. Huth and seven friends created the Christian Prayer Riders, a group of Christian motorcyclists focused on helping children.  “We decided to form the group to make a positive impact,” Huth said.

They had just formed the group when he ran into Pam Tanner, owner of the Smokehouse Restaurant in Turbeville. Tanner said that she had found out about Wilkes through a former employee who knew the family. “She has been a firm supporter since we started,” Huth said.

The Christian Prayer Riders and Tanner decided to form a benefit ride for Wilkes, with Smokehouse Restaurant as the host.

“I guess I put myself in their shoes,” Tanner said. “When we opened this restaurant three years ago, people believed in us and we want to give back.”

The Smokehouse Restaurant will provide a $7 chicken bog dinner for riders and anyone else who wants to come to the benefit ride on Saturday, July 17. Riders will meet at the restaurant at 9 a.m. for breakfast. They will leave the Smokehouse at around 10 a.m., ride to Lake City, then on to Greeleyville, Manning, and come back to Turbeville.

The total ride should take about an hour to two hours, according to Huth. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. A minimum donation of $10 is required to participate. Automobiles are welcome, and those who just want to come out for lunch can do that as well.

If you are planning to participate or would like more information, please contact Freddie Huth at 843-495-0741. An RSVP would be greatly appreciated.

Huth and Tanner would like to thank everyone for their donations. Donations can be made to the BJ Wilkes Fund, c/o Faith Bible Church, 1640 Trinity Rd., Lynchburg, SC 29080.