Big-hearted Bikers Escort Bullied 11-Year-Old Boy To First Day Of School

A bullied 11-year-old Indiana boy had the support of a group of big-hearted bikers on his first day of school. A group of about 50 bikers rode with the boy to DeKalb Middle School in Waterloo, giving him a special escort and a reason to smile.

Phil Mick was nervous to start his first day of school. His mom, Tammy Mick, told ABC News that Phil had admitted he didn't want to return to school after being bullied in his final year at elementary school. Phil was nervous about his first day, but he had help from Brent Warfield, the director of a local biker group with whom the family had connected over Christmas.

Warfield met Phil and Tammy Mick over Christmas through a program organized by Warfield's employer, KDZ Motorcycle Sales and Service. The program helps less fortunate families celebrate Christmas by buying presents. The family was referred to the program through a common friend.

"She mentioned that Phil was being bullied," Warfield told Patch, referring to Tammy Mick. Warfield told Phil to get a hold of him before he started school in August.

Warfield thought it would be pretty neat for a kid to ride to school with a bunch of bikers.

"He got to ride a Harley," he said.

Warfield shared the message on his Facebook page and said he would like to get as many riders as possible for the escort Aug. 1.

About 50 bikers showed up for the escort, and Warfield said the turnout did not surprise him.

"It would have been a lot more if it wasn't around work," he said. "To me, it's what we do around here."

Tammy Mick told CNN that the bike ride was the first time she'd seen her son smile in a long time.

Warfield said that the local biking community is involved with a lot of issues and Fort Wayne, Indiana-based United Motorcycle Enthusiasts, where he serves as the director, supports a variety of causes and charities. A ride being organized in September will raise awareness for bullying and childhood suicide. Warfield said bikers will ride to three different towns in northeast Indiana, inviting families to share their stories about bullying and childhood suicide, to raise awareness.

Warfield said the group's goal is to get everybody from the schools, parents and the community to come together to work on getting the word out that there is help for kids who are bullied.

'That's our goal, get more knowledge out there and get more help and let people know that there are avenues out there," he said.

Images courtesy Brent Warfield