The Ride for the Cause, a motorcycle event sponsored by local gas company Williams-Transco, along with Clanton Walmart, was held July 30.

The ride left Walmart and traveled approximately 150 miles round trip through Sylacauga and Rockford before coming back to Clanton. It ended with a cookout at Walmart, where door prizes were awarded.

“We had 34 participating bikes,” said event coordinator Patrick Aman. “For our first one, and to have had a limited time frame, we raised around $9,000 for the United Way.”

Aman said the combined support from Williams, Walmart and those who participated led him to start planning for the second ride.

“For every dollar we raised, Williams-Transco matched us [totalling $18,000],” he said. “We had great support from the community, and we had Curtis Smith (of the Chilton County United Way) there. We hope to have the same support in the spring of 2012. We’re going to try to go to Barber Motorsports Park.”