THOMASVILLE — A local support group is finding ways to spread hope throughout the community.

The HOPE Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group of Southwest Georgia is hosting the Ride of HOPE 2009, a poker run and classic car show, on Saturday.

“This is our first year,” Ricky Gipson, group co-founder, said. “We’re trying to raise money to continue educating people about brain injuries, get literature and take some of the people in group to camp.”

Gipson has ridden motorcycles all his life and thought a poker run would be ideal for the support group he and wife Vickie began after their son, Jonathan, sustained a traumatic brain injury.

He has spoken with more than 1,000 bike riders in south Georgia and north Florida to promote the event.

The ride originates at Vanderhoff Speed and Chrome Shop on West Jackson Street in Thomasville.

The first bike out will be at 10 a.m. and the last bike out at 12:30 p.m., organizers said in an event news release. The run will take riders to stops in Thomasville, Cairo, Ochlocknee, Coolidge, Pavo and end in Boston.

Also included in the event is a 50/50 raffle, auction, vendors, food, door prizes, live music by The Grey Brothers Band in Watt Park and a classic cars display in downtown Boston.

The event will also feature some local animal organizations, Gipson said, which he felt would benefit both TBI patients and the organizations.

“Animals are good therapy, period,” he said.

Proceeds will benefit the support group, which is an affiliate of the Brain Injury Association of Georgia.

Gipson, a member of the association’s board, said one of his main focuses is educating school age kids. His son was hit playing football, but it was a matter of time before changes became apparent, which led to actions that resulted in his TBI.

“It is called the invisible injury, because a person can look normal on the outside but that person’s actions and behavior demonstrate that they do have an injury,” he said.

This group meets the second Monday of each month at Northwoods Church of God, 640 Hall Rd. in Thomas County, starting at 6:30 p.m.

“Our group’s goal is to help people with TBIs feel useful again and be useful to themselves,” Gipson said. “We offer encouragement and hope to them and their families and caregivers, as well as education to the public.”