The Franklin County S.P.A.N. program is getting ready for kruzin’.

From their new facilities on the bottom floor of First United Methodist Church Russellville, the Special Programming for Achievement Network is preparing to once again host the Kruzin’ for Kids Motorcycle Ride to benefit local at-risk youth in conjunction with the Franklin County Watermelon Festival, Aug. 20 at 9 a.m. Remona Roberson, program coordinator, said the event is always fun, and this year won’t be any different.

“We’d love to get as many local bike riders to come and participate as possible,” Roberson said. “We usually have 50-60 people, but we want more. We have a big group that comes from Mississippi … and by the time most bikers have a rider with them, we could have close to 100 people.”

The ride has been an annual fundraiser since 2003.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the S.P.A.N. program building, located at First United Methodist Church in downtown Russellville. Registration, which includes a meal, is $25 for a single rider and $30 for double. Included the morning’s festivities will be door prizes and a 50/50 drawing.

All proceeds benefit the S.P.A.N. program., which provides comprehensive academic, social, behavioral, and basic employability skills training to the most high-risk youth in the local community, both boys and girls, ages 12-18. Students can get assistance with going through remedial academics or obtaining their GEDs. The local program, one of several throughout the state, has aided more than 700 youth since 1999. “Through fundraisers, such as the Kruzin’ for Kids Motorcycle Ride, we are able to plan field trips for the students, purchase items for the incentive closets, provide education materials in the classroom and assist with staff salaries,” Roberson explained.

For more information about the 2016 Kruzin’ for Kids Motorcycle Ride or the S.P.A.N. Program, call 256-332-0188.