69 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com feature IT TAKES A VILLAGE Born and raised in the Old Village, Steve Waters has been riding motorcycles for 54 years, which included 30 years of racing. His father, Johnny, started a motorcycle club in 1966 called the Family Riders. Waters, who has since relocated to West Ashley, has ridden “everything you can name” from Hondas and Kawasakis to Harleys and BMWs. “I’ve never not owned a motorcycle. Motorcycles fix what ails you,” avowed Waters. “If I’m having a bad day, I just go out motorcycle riding.” He also combines his passion for motorcycles with charitable efforts. The first benefit Waters ever hosted was in 2010 to help a friend with cancer. Most events he organizes are music benefits, including an Oct. 9 cancer benefit for his friend Smoky Blase at My Father’s Moustache. There were more than 70 bikes, and the event was attended by 500 people. At another benefit, Waters and Kelly Carroll, along with hundreds of other bikers, coordinated to fulfill the wish of a 7-year-old child suffering from metastasized brain cancer who wanted to see motorcycles. They gathered at a park in Conway to lead a bike parade for the child. “There wasn’t a dry eye in the house except for him,” remembered Waters. “Because he had a grin from ear to ear.” Waters has ridden for the VFW and the American Legion and done Commanders Honors (a nonprofit program to inter unclaimed South Carolina veterans) rides during which groups of motorcycles escort the hearse to the cemetery. The first Commanders Honors ride he did was in Mount Pleasant and featured 72 motorcycles. He has since done Commanders Honors rides to the Beaufort National Cemetery. Additionally, he does several rides annually for Toys for Tots, which distributes toys to disadvantaged children “What I do is very rewarding to me,” remarked Waters. His mantra is ‘My Brother’s Keeper.’ “That’s how I live,” he explained. He also noted that God gave him “a gift of gab,” which he uses to talk to local businesses and request auction items for benefits. Waters has held three charity benefits this year, Mat thew Mur r i n r i d i ng i n the B l ue R i dge Mounta i ns . Photo prov i ded by Mat thew Mur r i n .
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