The first annual Teen Tree Bike Run was held Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Kmart on Battlefield Parkway in Fort Oglethorpe.

The purpose of the run was to have bikers pick out gifts for needy teens in the area, then wrap them and later have them delivered.

Motorcycle clubs from north Georgia and Tennessee, such as the Outlaws and Underworld, gathered at Kmart to pick out the gifts, then made the ride down Battlefield Parkway to Lakeview First Baptist Church where they wrapped the gifts.

About 80 bikers participated, including about 65 who participated in the actual ride. Nine different motorcycle clubs were represented, as well as many non-affiliated bikers. The event raised between $2,500 and $3,000, including donations, shirt sales and purchases made by the riders.

Brent Jeno, a Catoosa County school bus driver, started the Teen Tree ministry with his wife Misty in 2002 after seeing local teens needing items and being neglected by other ministries.

“I think ministries like ‘Toys for Tots’ are great,” Jeno said. “But being a bus driver, I saw that many teens needed help during the holidays too. If we can’t help out the kids in our own back yard, who can we help?”

Jeno said the Bike Run was a great success and plans it again next year.