Third annual Love Run to benefit The Center of Family Love

On Aug. 13, everyone is invited to Diamondback Harley Davidson in Lawton at 9:30 a.m. for the annual Knights of Columbus Knights on Bikes Love Run benefiting The Center of Family Love in Okarche. The center offers lifetime care to adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. 

Debbie Espinosa, president and CEO of The Center of Family Love, said, “Each time we partner with this generous group of men, we are reminded of God’s continuous love towards us. The Knights have been walking by our side since 1981 and their commitment grows stronger every year!” 

The event this year is a dice run starting and ending at Diamondback Harley Davidson in Lawton. The participant with the high hand wins $700 and the low hand wins $300. What differentiates this year’s program is a live band, barbecue, tacos and all types of vehicles are welcome. Participants will have the opportunity to win money, merchandise or gift certificates.

Tim Burns, president of the Oklahoma City chapter (?) of Knights on Bikes, said, “Steve Rose, 
program director, has done most of, if not all of the work, in the planning and execution of the 
2022 event. All the credit should go to him regarding the new and exciting program features.”  

Rose said, “I have received so much cooperation from almost every individual and 
corporation I have contacted. Everyone understands what a great cause The Center of Family 
Love is. The event this year will feature five stops with the route traveling through historic 
Medicine Park and the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Everyone will roll the dice at each 
stop. High hand and low hand will be the winners, but the real winner will be The Center of 
Family Love. Our goal is that everyone has a great time with the band, the food and the 
knowledge we are helping the less fortunate.”

“We are so excited and thankful to be partnering with Knights on Bikes again this year for the Love Run. Events like this, help us fill our annual $2 million shortfall and help propel us into the future,” said Nellie Sanders, vice president of philanthropy at The Center of Family Love.

With over 40 years of experience, the center has developed nationally-recognized and innovative solutions to the ever-growing worldwide demand for comprehensive development programs for people living with physical and intellectual disabilities.

“Our residents have been born with incredible untapped and underdeveloped talent. These lives have been entrusted to us, and we have the opportunity of a lifetime to change the world for the next generation conquering intellectual disabilities,” Sanders said.

Rose said, “Our program on Aug. 13, offers the people of the Oklahoma City archdiocese an easy and fun way to follow Christ. I cannot think of a better way to serve Christ than through the intellectually disabled!”  

Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.