Greensburg — The annual motorcycle ride honoring Devin Lee Parsons is about to get much larger.

Begun mere months after the beating death of Devin at the hands of his mother and her then-boyfriend, the Devin Lee Parsons “Never Be Forgotten” Memorial Ride is intended to raise awareness of child abuse in the Decatur County community and beyond. And while the positive turnout has emboldened organizers toward their cause since the ride’s inception, the group has continually sought further support.

This year, Greensburg’s Knights of Columbus is lending a hand to the annual event.

Following the close of the ride June 22, participants will gather at the Knights of Columbus Hall for an evening of music, dancing and food. With the exception of the change of venue from the traditional gathering at the Decatur County Conservation Club, those who have attended the memorial ride in the past will likely find themselves accustomed to what follows. This iteration of the ride, however, is packed with incentives for supporters of the cause to come out in droves.

Fourth-degree Knight Eric Capper has spearheaded a “Super Raffle” for the event, which will allow participants a chance to bring home a hefty cash prize.

Each ticket for the raffle costs $100 and allows entry into a drawing for a grand prize of either $15,000 cash or a brand new 2013 Harley Davidson Heritage Softtail motorcycle. A second place prize of $2,000 will be given away as will $500 as a third prize. Capper told the Daily News only 350 tickets to the Super Raffle will be made available, and proceeds benefit the Devin Lee Parsons Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Foundation and the Greensburg Knights of Columbus Council #1042. A minimum of 275 tickets need to be sold for the event, Capper said, otherwise the contest will become a 50/50 drawing and will have only one winner.

Tickets are available now by calling Eric Capper at 812-614-1687 or emailing him at ekcapper@yahoo.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Capper said that if all 350 tickets are sold, the Parsons Foundation, set-up in 2011 and intended to honor Devin’s memory by fighting abuse of all kinds throughout the community, will receive $5,000.

Capper also plans to have several donated items available for a silent auction during the event.

Not at all lost on the Knights of Columbus nor the Parsons’ family is the tragedy that brought them to this endeavor.

“It’s all to raise awareness for child abuse,” said a Parsons family spokesperson. That sentiment was echoed by Capper who praised the foundation and the message its organizers are seeking to spread.

“You’ve got to love what the foundation’s all about,” said Capper.

The brutal death of 12-year-old Devin Parsons in June 2011 brought violence in the home to the forefront for many in Decatur County. The story attracted media from across the state leading up to plea agreements from Tasha M. Parsons and Waldo Lynn Jones, the two adults responsible for Devin’s death, that resulted in 60-year prison sentences for both last year.

With the boy’s memory firmly cemented throughout the Tree County, the Parsons family continues to organize events they hope will help ensure no child will ever suffer the same fate as Devin.

The second annual Devin Lee Parsons candlelight vigil is planned to begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30 at North Park. As was the case last year, the public is invited to attend and hear short speeches from child abuse experts from a smattering of different organizations.

In late April, the Knights of Columbus will host a dance benefiting the cause, the proceeds of which will be used toward setting up the ever-growing memorial ride in June. The dance is planned for April 27, and more information pertaining to it is expected to be available soon.

For the time being, interested parties can show their support by considering purchasing tickets for the Super Raffle.

A Facebook page aimed at promoting the event has been set up by Eric Capper, and tickets, in addition to the ways previously mentioned, can also be obtained by calling the Knights of Columbus Hall at 812-663-2607.



Contact: Brent Brown 812-663-3111 x7056