Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Motorcyclists ride into Houghton during the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home’s 10th annual Ride Against Abuse Monday night.

HOUGHTON — More than three dozen riders roared in Houghton Monday night in a show of solidarity for the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home’s annual Ride Against Abuse.

This is the 10th year for the ride, held in conjunction with Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

It is held on the first Monday of October, which the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence began celebrating as a Day of Unity in 1981.

Thirty-three motorcycles took part in this year’s event, four of which carried passengers.

“The camaraderie just that the bikes have on their own is amazing, and yet they come out every year for the same cause,” said Mary Niemela, executive director of the Gundlach Shelter. “And we appreciate that so much, make a little noise about everything that’s going on.”

Joe Lajimodiere, a member of the Legion Riders in Lake Linden, has done the ride all but one year so far. He said it’s a great way to draw awareness to domestic violence and the local resources in place for helping victims.

“Domestic violence is a fact around here,” he said. “This helps support people like (Niemela) who are doing their job. It’s a good cause.”

Things remain busy at the shelter home, which has been in its new location for two-and-a-half years now, Niemela said.

Even though Monday’s ride isn’t a fundraiser, the shelter always ends up with donations, Niemela said. A fundraiser for the shelter is coming up at the Agassiz Inn in Calumet from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 27.

“There’ll be a silent auction and some music and appetizers, and they’re hoping to bring up their Belgian horses from down here in Houghton and take people for rides,” she said.

The shelter also takes material donations, and welcomes volunteers, Niemela said.

“Anybody that’s interested in that can certainly call the shelter and find out about how to do that, even if it’s one three-hour shift a month,” Niemela said. “We have to cover 168 hours a week. So it’s very important that we have people that are dedicated to the cause of domestic violence awareness and can help us out in that way.”

People interested in volunteering or donating can contact the shelter at (906) 337-5632 or email bkghome@pasty.com.