For 20 years, the Southern Legends Motorcycle Club has united riders from across the region for its annual ride supporting Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home. Since 2005, the club has raised both funds and awareness for the Foundation's Hospice Special Needs Fund. 

The Hospice Special Needs Fund helps meet the practical and emotional needs of hospice patients and their families through support such as Thanksgiving meal deliveries, medications, hospital beds, utility assistance, bereavement bears and more. These resources help ease unexpected financial burdens and provide comfort, dignity and peace of mind throughout the hospice journey. 

What began as a two-hour escorted ride has grown into an all-day event drawing riders and clubs from across the Upstate. To date, this grassroots effort has raised more than $224,000 to support hospice patients and their loved ones, ensuring families have access to the care, resources and support they need during life's most challenging moments. 

Over the history of this annual ride, the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home has become deeply meaningful to Southern Legends Motorcycle Club members. As club secretary for the Hospice Ride, Janice Walker couldn’t have predicted that her commitment to the annual fundraiser would become personal.  

“The compassion and care that the Hospice Home showed during my father’s final days stirred up a passion in my heart,” Walker said. “I was happy to learn that the Southern Legends’ yearly project was a ride for the Hospice Special Needs Fund, and I got to see my passion begin to play out by being able to participate in this amazing cause."   

When a community comes together around a shared purpose, the impact reaches far beyond the dollars raised. The annual ride has helped build awareness and support for what many affectionately call "the home that Spartanburg built." Through their generosity, Southern Legends members have helped ensure hospice patients and families receive additional support when they need it most, while creating a legacy of compassion for those facing illness and loss. 

This year’s ride was particularly meaningful for the motorcycle club, as it honored the memory of Southern Legends founding member Mark “Popi” Zayas. Known for his catchphrase, “Don’t worry, we got time,” Zayas served as club president for many years and participated in 18 annual hospice rides.  

Zayas visited the Hospice Home when two club members were patients, where he witnessed the meaningful ways that the Hospice Special Needs Fund helped patients and loved ones. Zayas will be remembered for his dedication to both the club and Hospice Home by his fellow club members. 

Before joining Spartanburg Regional Hospice, Hospice Director Mark Nix experienced the impact firsthand when his father was admitted to the Hospice Home in 2019. 

“He stayed and passed in the room that the club sponsored — Room 5 — as indicated with a special plaque,” Nix said. “When I became the administrator for Spartanburg Regional Hospice, I got to know the great members of this motorcycle club and saw their devotion to hospice through the hospice rides and gifts they have given to the families and patients.” 

“There is nothing like hearing the full-throttle roar of motorcycles taking off with a purpose,” Nix said. “Especially with the purpose of helping those in need.”  

For two decades, Southern Legends’ annual hospice ride has demonstrated the power of grassroots philanthropy, bringing riders together to support hospice patients and families across our community. While this year's ride marked an important milestone, the mission continues. The Southern Legends Motorcycle Club looks forward to welcoming riders back in August 2027 as they continue its legacy of compassion and support for local hospice patients and their loved ones.