EASLEY — Mac Lawton, owner of Dixie Lumber, is a beloved member of Easley First Baptist Church, and an event meant to honor him kicks into gear next weekend.

The 2nd Annual Ride for MAC will be held 7:30 a.m. at Easley First Baptist Church.

The bicycle ride has a variety of routes for all skill levels, including 5-mile, 10-mile, 20-mile, 40-mile and 62-mile routes.

Registration for the ride is $45.

“Mac Lawton is a member of our community, and he does a lot with local missions and also international missions,” said Patrick Rivers, one of the event’s organizers.

“It was started as a way to honor him, but it’s really grown,” Rivers said.

Last year’s event raised over $5,000 for Hope Unlimited, a Brazil-based mission to bring street kids off of the street.

“Over there, orphans who are on the street have a life expectancy of about three years,” Rivers said. “Through this mission, they’re able to bring these kids in, teach them how to function in society, teach them a skill so that they can be a productive citizen, and teach them about God as well.”

Proceeds from the event will go toward Hope Unlimited and a local mission, “Put Shoes on Kids Feet in Pickens County.”

This spring, First Baptist took on this mission at a local elementary school, Rivers said.

“It really went over well,” he said. “It really helped with their self-esteem.

“Shoes, in a way, are a status symbol, so it was a great way to show them that God loves them and people care about them, and boost their self-esteem and confidence.”

The 62-mile route, known as a “metric century” begins at Easley First Baptist, winds through back road to the top of Caesar’s Head and then back, Rivers said.

Rivers did the metric century himself for the first time during last year’s event.

“It was a little daunting at first,” he said. “But it’s one of those things where once you do it, you really feel a sense of accomplishment. It’s really a good way to get active.”

Ride for MAC begins with a devotion led by Lawton, then ride instructions and a group photo, Rivers said.

“Then they’ll ring the bell, and everybody will start going

The ride is fully-supported, with technical support provided by The Great Escape.

“Anybody can bring their bike in, they can look at it, adjust the brakes, make sure your tires are good,” Rivers said.

Riders will followed by rolling “SAGs,” which stands for support and gear.

“It’s cars that will have bike racks on them that will riding along the route, in case anybody has any trouble, like a flat tire,” Rivers said.

Refreshment stops will also be scattered along the bike routes, he said.

To register, or for more information, visit www.rideformac.com, email rideformac@gmail.com or call the Easley First Baptist Church office at 859-4052.