BAY MINETTE, Alabama — More than 80 people recently took part in the Starla Ride V, sponsored by BMB Rockets & Rockettes. The fifth annual ride is held to raise money for the Just Trust Scholarship and other BMB charities. 

This year’s event also included the Richard Sims Jr. Memorial Ride in memory of a friend – and long-time participant – who died at the hands of a drunk driver. The charity ride started and finished on the campus of Faulkner State Community College and included raffles and drawings. 

Proceeds from the annual event fund the group's $1,000 “Just Trust” Scholarship for a senior student at Baldwin County High School. Last year’s recipient was Jennieceia Cunningham.

The ride is named in honor of Bay Minette’s Starla Chapman who is now in remission from cancer. The first event (then called Ride for Starla) included a ride from Bay Minette to Mobile to visit her in the hospital. Since then the renamed “Starla Ride” has become a way to raise funds for other projects.

Organizer Marsha “MsOnDaGo” Stevens said the BMB Charities uses any leftover funds to assist others in need in the community. 

The group has also set a Go Fund Me account to help with the project. Donations can be made at gofundme.com/StarlaRideV.