We’re very thankful for the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Southside Virginia and the great work it does in our community.

We commend the club and its members for going above and beyond in helping its neighbors, the community’s young people and total strangers excel in life, whether it’s in the form of awarding academic scholarships or helping a family in their darkest hour.

The members of the club show what it means to live in a close, tight-knit community.

Members of the club recently presented the Raymond L. Shelton Leadership Scholarship — named in honor of Raymond L. Shelton — to Tia Taylor, of Charlotte Court House.

Taylor, who will attend Old Dominion University in the fall, and is planning to study chemistry and cytotechnology, called the scholarship “a big help.”

This scholarship is just one of many ways the club gives back to our community, fulfilling its mission of service and extending a helping hand to those who need it.

The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club began in 1993 and is named after the African-American soldier cavalries and infantries who served during the Civil War.

Club Chapters work to honor the sacrifices of African-American war veterans by motorcycling throughout the country and performing acts of community service. Virginia was one of the first five states to establish Buffalo Soldiers Chapters, according to the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers’ website.

Community service comes in many forms for members of the club. Case in point: the club plans to raise money in September through a charity ride for Charlotte County resident George Henry G. Roberts, who was injured in a motorcycle accident last year.

The chapter recently donated $500 to the Special Olympics of Area 15.

We’re very fortunate to have such an outstanding group of dedicated volunteers who want to see their community flourish.