Bullying at any age is totally unacceptable. Thankfully there are those that stand up to it, helping to change the lives of those who’ve endured physical or mental abuse. This was recently the case for Phil Mick, who at the tender age of 11 had endured persistent bullying at elementary school.
Although Phil’s mom, Tammy Mick, had questioned her son over his mysterious bruising, it took him a while to finally reveal to his mom that he was being picked on for being “poor.” His mom shared with CNN: “They were calling him ‘fat,’ cussing at him, hitting him in private areas,” adding that her young son who’d been told he was “worthless” had “wanted to end his life.” Very distressing words for any parent to hear.
The desperate mom reached out to the school but says her concerns were swept under the carpet. Luckily for the young schoolboy from Indiana, his mom’s chance meeting with Brent Warfield, the director of the United Motorcycle Enthusiasts, would help change his life.
The bikers were holding an event back in December 2016 to help low-income families find Christmas presents for their children. When Mick explained to Warfield what her son had been going through, the biker decided to take action, explaining to CNN: “Kids are getting bullied and I can’t stand it. We are trying to help the community and spread awareness to prevent kids from being mean to others and prevent possible suicides.”
So back in August 2017, when Mick was about to start middle school, Warfield put a message up on Facebook calling for help from fellow bikers to escort the 6th grader to school. The response was overwhelming, with 50 bikers revving up to his home to accompany him on this daunting first day, with new clothes and school supplies to help Mick and his mom.
As Warfield, who has a child the same age, told ABC News, Mick’s story “reached down deep and hit me.” The incredible show of force by the Enthusiasts, who are heavily involved in lots of charitable works, gave Mick the confidence to start his new school while giving others a clear and undoubtedly pretty loud message: don’t pick on kids. As Warfield shared with Mass Mutual in an ad that’s been airing during the Winter Olympics: “It’s about all the kids out there getting picked on and bullied. We are here for you.”
And this support is paying dividends. Tammy Mick shared with Mass Mutual that Phil “actually wants to go to school. He’s getting As and Bs and he’s coming home and showing me.”
It’s fitting that this story has been airing during sporting events like the Super Bowl and Olympic Games. While these sporting events may inspire us to get our ice skates polished and improve our physical health, this story inspires us to look inward and to see how we can serve others. And we can’t help but wonder if Warfield and his friends get a little extra strength from the group’s annual “Blessing of the Bikes.” So if you have a bike and happen to be in Arcola, Indiana on April 7, ride along to St. Patrick’s Church and see if you don’t get divine inspiration to help others, ride safely, or perhaps sign up for the next Olympics.
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Bringing the light of faith to the Olympics
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