The Southside Riders Association, a local group of motorcycle enthusiasts, will on Dec. 8, be hosting a “Scooters for Santa” Christmas party for foster children.

According to a press release, Southside Riders has been sponsoring Christmas parties for foster children for the previous eight years since Christmas, being a religious holiday, receives little attention from the state.

According to the release, there are 250 foster children in Spalding County alone, many of whom are victims of abuse and neglect.

The goals of the event are to provide the children with one day in their lives they can remember and can just be a kid, provide them with memories that are happy and fun and provide them an opportunity to see that people are genuinely good.

“We’re expecting around 200 kids,” said Doug Taylor, who is helping organize the event. “They will be provided with a party, which consists of face-paintings, large inflatables which they will be able to jump in and (an) individual gift for each child from Santa Claus.”

The Southside Riders will also provide food for the party.

Taylor said that the party is funded by monies raised earlier in the year.

“So far this year we have had a golf tournament in October and also we sponsored the Marie Ussery Toy Run two weeks ago,” he said.

The Toy Run took place Nov. 17 at Buffalo’s Cafe and consisted of individuals contributing new toys or $10, then going on a motorcycle “poker run” to raise more money for the purchase of toys.

In addition to providing the party for the children, the Southside Riders will play Secret Santa to fifty children in Lamar, Spalding, Henry, Upson and Pike counties who, although not foster children, receive assistance from the Department of Family and Children’s Services.

The Riders spent $5000 on the gifts.

Anyone interested in helping the Southside Riders in their charitable work should call Arnie Cobb at 770-898-3960.