Video

Charity Ride Helps Women and Children

By KSEE News
October 6, 2012 Updated Oct 6, 2012 at 11:42 PM PDT

Valley bikers hit the pavement today in support of women and children.

About 65 bikers rode in the "Rescue the Children Charity Run" today. The event was organized by the Fresno Rescue Mission to benefit it's brand new women and children's shelter. The shelter opened this week at the old Vagabond Inn Hotel in Fresno. It's now housing 13 women and seven children. At full capacity, it will be home to 75 women. The shelter's director says the women they take in are either homeless, victims of domestic violence or battling drug addiction.

Deborah Torres, Fresno Rescue Mission says, "The hope for the kids and the safety and security. The one comment we had from all the residents was, this is the first peaceful night sleep that we've had in a really long time, and so that is worth it. So to feel the hope that yes there is another way, it's just vital."

Organizers estimate about $4,000 was raised during today's run. They say they plan to make it an annual event.

The People's Church in Fresno also helped plant flowers and did some last minute painting at the shelter.

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