Sundt Transportation Coordinator Clay Mullenax was racing motorcycles around the track on his family’s property when most kids his age were just learning to ride bicycles. After riding for more than 40 years, it’s only natural that he became a member of an organization that celebrates the lifestyle in the name of good deeds.
Clay is a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA), a 501(c)3 organization of people committed to empowering abused children by eliminating their fear of the world around them. He recently took his commitment a step further by completing training to earn his Advanced Impact Trauma Medical certificate.
How long have you been with BACA?
I started as a supporter with BACA in January 2015. In July of this year, I completed my training program and was unanimously approved by our chapter executive board to be a patch holder (denoting membership). I can now be assigned as a primary contact for a child, sponsor and mentor new BACA members, vote on chapter business matters and hold an appointed or elected position in the organization.
How are your members involved in the community?
We provide emotional and physical support to children who have been victims of abuse in every community across 48 states in the U.S., as well as 11 countries. This support comes in many different forms. We utilize donations to provide financial assistance for professional therapy/counseling for children whose families couldn’t otherwise afford it. We will escort and accompany children to court if they are participating in a trial related to their abuse. In circumstances where it is necessary we may have a security team stay with a little hero around the clock. And sometimes we are just someone for them to talk to … someone who shows up for them when we say we will, no matter what. Our little heroes are our equals. Our relationship with them is that of brothers and sisters, not adults and children. The majority of them respond to that type of relationship very well, and it leads to a strong bond that allows them to trust us and let us help them through their fears.
How did you become involved in the organization?
I have a daughter who has been diagnosed on the autism spectrum. I took her with me one day to go to the “motorcycle store” to buy some parts. At that time, she was very shy and introverted. A BACA member successfully broke that barrier and befriended her while we were waiting our turn in line. That impressed me, so I researched the organization that night when I got home and have been hooked ever since.
What led you to earn your Advanced Impact Trauma Medical certificate?
Our organization likes us to have certificate-holding medics available for all our functions. I maintain my first-aid and defibrillator training through Sundt, but we needed members with more advanced capabilities for those times when things are at their worst. Several of us in the chapter took it upon ourselves to enroll in the basic and advanced Impact Trauma certificate courses offered through the Road Guardians/Accident Scene Management. The knowledge I took away from those courses is something that can be used anytime anywhere. You just never know.