PLAINFIELD — A few guys sitting around chatting about a motorcycle ride has turned into a fundraiser for Susie’s Place, Hendricks County’s child advocacy center.

Eric Disbro was one of those men and the place was the Hendricks County Communications Center in Plainfield.

”It was Larry (Brinker) that came up with the idea,” Disbro said. “Not everyone knows about the communications center yet. It’s still a baby.”

Brinker is the director of HCCC and Disbro is the public information officer there. The Hendricks County Communications Center receives all 911 calls and non-emergency calls for the entire county.

”We decided we wanted to raise money for charity and I’m a sucker for kids, so thought Susie’s Place was perfect,” he said.

Susie’s Place opened in April 2009 as a place to interview children when there is a suspected case of molestation or any other type of abuse. The center has two full-time forensic interviewers. It is nearing the completion of 500 cases in less than a year and a half.

”We’re lucky to have the center in Hendricks County,” Disbro said. “And we want to make sure they have what they need. I’m greedy. I just want to make lots of money for Susie’s Place.”

The original small group has turned into a committee with representatives from the Communications Center and Susie’s Place. Forensic interviewer Allison Creekmore has been working on the project for several months.

”I think this has enhanced our relationship with law enforcement,” Creekmore said. “It’s been great meeting all the different law enforcement officers.

”The entire event is going to be managed by volunteers. We are having Susie’s Place volunteers, volunteers from the communications center, and a group from Best Buy.”

The Ride for Susie’s Place is Sept. 11. It will begin with registration from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Indy West Harley in Plainfield. The 90-mile ride will leave at 10:30 a.m. and will make two stops along the route. It will then arrive at Susie’s Place, 7386 Business Center Drive, Suite B, Avon at about 1 p.m.

Riders will be greeted with games, music, and a cook-out style barbecue meal. This is an alcohol-free event.

Disbro said one of the good reasons to have it start at Indy West Harley is their capability to rent a bike to those who have a motorcycle endorsement.

”It’s good for people who don’t think their bike would make the ride or if they want to rent a bigger bike for the day,” he said. “They would have it for the whole day. So after the ride they could head off to Brown County or just return it. And these bikes are nice.”

Cost for the ride is $20 per rider and $10 per passenger, which includes the meal.

All in the community are welcome to visit the center following the ride to enjoy the meal and check out all of the motorcycles. The cost for those attending that is $10 per person.

There will also be ride T-shirts available for purchase, due to a donation from the Fraternal Order of Police.

The entire event has been done with donations from several groups and organizations including the title sponsor, RL Carter Trucking Company.

”RL Carter has been making sure we have everything we need,” Disbro said. “That way all the money we make goes to Susie’s Place.”

Donations from ice to softdrinks all came from businesses and organizations in the community. Contributions have also been made by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Professional Firefighters Association Local 416, Emerald Society, Number 10 Fire Station, Duke Energy, and Six Six Graphics.

Donations to Susie’s Place will also be accepted during the lunch.

brenda.holmes@flyergroup.com

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Online:

www.susiesplace.org