Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/1143061
11 RIDING IN REMEMBRANCE "I am my brothers' and sisters' keeper," Bo Jackson said. A star in football, baseball and track who is widely remembered as an Auburn University Heisman Trophy winner and Nike spokesman, the longtime Chicago resident is foremost an Alabamian. It was in that spirit that Jackson led his annual Bo Bikes Bama ride as a memorial to the 23 people who lost their lives in the March 3 tornadoes in Lee County. "The way I see it, you can't outrun Mother Nature, but you can sure get out of her way, and that's why I started this ride," said Jackson. "Not everybody has adequate shelter when a storm lands here, and that's not fair. Donating money to the Governor's Emergency Relief Fund does just that, gives everybody a chance to survive because more and more shelters are being built in each town all over the state." Eight years aer the infamous April 27 tornadoes that devastated Tuscaloosa and other Alabama communities, the ride again brought remembrance to families who lost loved ones. Funds raised by the ride go to the Governor's Emergency Relief Fund, which helps provide emergency management resources, including tornado shelters for underserved communities. On April 27, more than 1,300 bikers descended on Auburn Arena for the eighth annual ride. Jackson kicked off the event with help from Gov. Kay Ivey and Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Hastings. Aubie greeted fans, energizing the spectators with chants before the rides. Several members of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) were at the stadium at 6 a.m. to ensure the event went smoothly. Riders began filtering into the stadium before daylight. Some opted for the 60-mile ride that started aer 7 a.m; others took the 20-mile ride that kicked off aer 10 a.m. Magic City APSO member Christina Jackson and her family helped staff the final pit stop, providing riders with drinks and snacks to prevent dehydration. Volunteers set up tents at 5-mile intervals, where riders could stop for an energy bar, fruit, water or other drinks. "The atmosphere was terrific," said Jackson, VOLUNTEERS HELP MAKE BO BIKES BAMA A SUCCESS BY DONNA COPE PHOTOS BY BILLY BROWN Jackson and fellow former NFL star Brett Favre at start of the 2019 biking event in Auburn.