The Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center’s Great Teddy Bear Run will be returning for its 25th year on April 26 to help raise awareness about child abuse and support local children.d

Sponsored by Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, the 13-mile group ride begins with registration at 9 a.m. at the Warren County Justice Center and ends at 1 p.m. at Harley-Davidson of Bowling Green. Kickstands go up at 11 a.m.

Sabrina Durbin, outreach coordinator for BRACAC, said the ride is a fundraising event that covers services that are not paid for with grant funds.

“That’s why these fundraisers are so crucial,” she said.

BRACAC has one location in Bowling Green, but it serves ten surrounding counties.

“It’s a safe haven for children and families to come and receive services once a disclosure of sexual abuse happens,” Durbin said. “The money raised goes to these services. We would never want the price of something, especially for something so traumatizing, to be a barrier for any family.”

Some of the free services offered include victim advocacy, medical exams, forensics interviews and trauma-focused therapy.

The event’s riders are encouraged to bring new teddy bears to strap to their motorcycles, which will be donated to child abuse victims to provide comfort.

Durbin said that, since this is the 25th anniversary of the event, some new features have been added, including a 25th anniversary patch that riders can purchase for their riding vests and a tattoo artist at Harley-Davidson, who will give specific tattoos only, including a 25th year teddy bear tattoo.

“There’s lots of different things to look forward to this year,” Durbin said. “But the biggest thing is the motorcycle ride itself and police escort around the city. It’s such a fun day.”

At the conclusion of the ride, Harley-Davidson will host a block party at the dealership, featuring a silent auction, raffle, a DJ, vendors, food trucks and dessert trucks.

Online registration closes on April 22 and all registrations prior to April 17 will include an event t-shirt, pin and a swag bag.

Pre-registration cost is $35 for a single rider and an additional $25 for a passenger.

All attendees will be given the opportunity to fundraise.

For more information and to register, visit bracac.org.