Hundreds of motorcyclists line up for the 23rd annual Great Teddy Bear Run benefitting the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center for the 13-mile motorcycle ride from the Warren County Justice Center through the city to the Harley Davidson of Bowling Green, Ky., on Saturday, April 29, 2023. The annual event aims to provide critical services, such as forensic interviews, child sexual abuse medical exams, trauma-informed mental health therapy and prevention education to child abuse victims. (Grace Ramey/grace.ramey@bgdailynews.com)

A fundraiser for Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center will bring hundreds of bikers to Bowling Green on April 27.

The 24th annual Great Teddy Bear Run begins at the Warren County Justice Center and ends at Harley Davidson of Bowling Green.

“If you are in Bowling Green that day, you will definitely know the Great Teddy Bear Run is going on,” said Sabrina Durbin, community outreach coordinator for BRACAC, which provides healing services to child victims of sexual abuse in a safe, child-friendly location.

The 13-mile ride is one of two fundraisers for BRACAC — the other being Over the Edge, which Durbin said collects the largest dollar amount. 

She said the Teddy Bear Run is the fundraiser with the most participants, with last year’s ride drawing around 550 riders and raising almost $41,000.

This year, Durbin is hoping for at least 600 riders with $50,000 or more raised, after expenses. 

This year’s addition of a title sponsorship, Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, will bring an an extra $10,000 to the funds raised, Durbin said, “which will definitely help.”

“All of the services we provide are free to families and children,” she said. “We have grants that fund the building and staff, but we depend on fundraising to help with center services.” 

Some of the free services the center provides are advocacy, forensic interviews, medical exams and trauma-informed therapy. 

The upcoming event will feature a silent auction, cash raffle, giveaways, games and food trucks and vendors with food available for purchase, including Tin Roof Coffee and a breakfast vendor at the justice center and South Cow, Jeff’s Filling Station, Bub’s Barbecue and The Mobile Moo in the afternoon at Harley Davidson. 

“It’s a kick back and hang out kind of atmosphere with people who support us,” Durbin said. 

The ride will begin at 11 a.m. at the justice center with onsite registration and check-in at 9 a.m.

Riders who pre-register before April 17 at bracac.org or on the BRACAC Facebook page will receive a T-shirt, pin and swag bag. 

The cost to register is $35 for a single rider and an additional $25 with a passenger. The cost will increase by $10 after April 17.