After two local boys had their fixer-upper dirt bike stolen from them, the local chapter of the motorcycle club Knights Order LEMC of Sullivan County decided to take the boys under their wing and host a fundraiser at Dutch’s Tavern and Cafe in Rock Hill on November 30 to equip them both with brand new dirt bikes.

Cody, 15, and Austin, 15, students at Liberty High School, worked diligently over the past summer season to garner enough money to jointly purchase a fixer-upper motor bike, which was recently stolen from them by an unknown thief right out of the boys’ backyard.

In response, Gabriel Espinosa, President of the Knights Order LEMC of Sullivan County, pushed forward with the chapter to start up a fundraiser in order to surprise the boys with brand new bikes of their own.

“The story [of the bike being stolen], it broke my heart,” Espinosa said. “We want to get them brand new bikes, with uniforms because they want to go dirt biking, helmets, and very strong bike locks.”

For all the equipment and more, “We’re looking to raise around $5,000,” Espinosa estimated.

Alicia, mother of Cody and aunt to Austin, was grateful to the Knights Order LEMC of Sullivan County for their help.

“I appreciate it very much. They’re doing so much to help the boys,” she said.

Now the challenge for Alicia is keeping the fundraiser a secret from the low-spirited cousins.

Alicia and the Knights Order LEMC of Sullivan County are hoping to surprise the boys sometime before Christmas Eve with the new bikes and equipment.

“I hope they see it as a gift and a way to see that people are still goodhearted and still do good for people,” she said.

Louise Benjamin, the manager at Dutch’s Tavern and Cafe, said that even after the event on November 30 has concluded, a box for monetary donations will remain available for anyone who wishes to help the two boys have a happier holiday season.