This year 15 Murray Middle School students received a bicycle as a holiday surprise through the Brad Deming Memorial Bike Fund. MMS students (seven boys) and (eight girls) received bikes after Morgan Carman, Tiger Christmas coordinator, worked with members of the Brad Deming Memorial Bike Fund.
A group of hunting and fishing buddies (Mike Adams, Anthony Landreth, John Lawrence and Corey Reeves) began this charitable holiday gift giving with their late friend, Brad Deming. Deming began this as a passion before he passed away in 2018 from a heart-attack. Originally, Deming began this as an effort to assist foster children who have been displaced and now has grown into other areas of reach. The group auctions numerous duck, deer and hunting trips for profit.
Anthony Landreth, spokesperson for the group, said this memorial fund has now grown to gifting 500 bikes to five different states (Tennessee, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia).
“Brad had a great love of kids,” Landreth said. “We are a close-knit group and we are always trying to take it to another level, and asking what we can do to purchase more bikes. One-hundred percent of the money raised goes towards purchasing bikes.”
“Brad had a great love of kids,” Landreth said. “We are a close-knit group and we are always trying to take it to another level, and asking what we can do to purchase more bikes. One-hundred percent of the money raised goes towards purchasing bikes.”
Taking it to another level has involved the group reaching out to others in neighboring states with hunting services and the dream continues to grow each year. This year, Carl and Joy Doran, owners of Snipe Creek Lodge, in the Murray and Calloway County area, joined in the mission and provided their lodge for the auction mission. By offering their lodge Murray and Calloway elementary students benefited and added Kentucky into the states who reap the benefits.
Landreth recalls a last-time fishing encounter with Deming before his unexpected death. “He asked me what we could do to help generate more revenue to keep it going,” he explained. “This is such rewarding feeling. I know if Brad were alive he would be so proud, and is smiling down from above.”
Bob Horne, MMS principal, thanks their community generosity. “We are very appreciative of members of The Brad Deming Memorial Bicycle Fund, and Carl and Joy Doran, for making this dream possible for our students.”
To contribute, or for more information, contact The Brad Deming Memorial Bicycle Fund (Brad’s Bikes For Kids) at 731-609-1639. The Brad Deming Memorial Bicycle Fund is a 501© (3) Non-Profit Organization.