II It .:I II Pl 1·1 ::1 1:1 I When sophomore Xandi Eudaly spent quality time with her parents, it was often while zooming down the highway on a motorcycle together. Eudaly's parents, Don and Suzanne Eudaly, were both involved with a national nonprofit motorcyclist organization called Bikers Against Child Abuse. Upon discovering the joy of riding motorcycles about three years ago, they passed their hobby down to their daughter. "It's a cool pastime," Xandi said. "It's very freeing." Don explained he and his wife became curious about the organization after hearing about BACA from a relative involved in a different chapter,. According to Xandi, BACA's motto was, "No child deserves to live in fear." The organization's goal was to empower children in abusive situations and help them feel safe. BACA members often welcomed children involved in abuse cases into their "family" and gave them a blanket, a teddy bear and a jacket with their name on the back. They also visited the children in their homes to check on them and on occasion, attended their court cases. The local BACA group members asked Suzanne to be on their board as a mental health professional. Both Don and Suzanne became familiar with riding and purchased their own motorcycles. "Suzanne and I each grew up separately riding trail bikes, and that transferred pretty easily to the bigger street versions," Don said. "We love the freedom and fun, and Xandi has loved to drive anything since before she could even see over the dashboard of the old jeep she used to drive around the pasture. So it's a natural fit for all of us." Suzanne agreed her daughter was a natural from the beginning. "Xandi has never backed down from the challenges of participating in any of our family adventures," Suzanne said. "She jumped on a motorcycle and asked for instructions on how to ride. She was riding almost immediately." Xandi said she learned how to ride the previous summer, and it had since become one ofher favorite things to do. Although she did not own a motorcycle for herself yet, Xandi said she hoped to purchase a bike one day and join the BACA group because she admired its mission. "It's really fun to feel the wind on you," Xandi said. "It's a very different experience from just rolling down the window in your car ... (BACA members) really stand up for what they believe in and live that out through their lives." Don said for him, the passion for BACA simply came from a desire to help children in need. "What better to do with your time than help abused children?" Don said. "Really, that's it." By Julie Anne Hlhite So J> homo,. e X a 11 cl i E II d a I y he g u n 1· id in y motorcycles with her j)(lrents, who were heai•ily involued in Bikers Against Chile/ Abuse. I Photo by Becc(l Riley
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