They love riding North Idaho's trails — the wind in their hair, nothing but the hum of their all-terrain vehicles filling the fresh forest air around them.

The adventurous hearts of Back Country ATV and UTV Association members are also brimming with benevolence. This Christmas season, they gave $6,000 to local charities, donated 142 pounds of canned goods to the Post Falls Food Bank and collected 258 pairs of socks for the St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho homeless program.

“We love giving back to the community where we live," Back Country ATV and UTV Association President Bret Uhlich said Thursday. "Most of us are retired, from an older generation, so we feel called to give back to our local charities."

"It was a record year for us. We had an extra $1,000 this year compared with last year," he said. "We love what we do. It was just a fantastic year. It made my heart feel good we could give away $6,000."

This is Uhlich's first year as president after joining the club in 2019. About 150 members make up the local club, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. Members meet at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Eagles Lodge in Hayden.

"We’re comprised of a whole different bunch of people with different life experience," Uhlich said. "A pretty interesting group."

Because it was such a good fundraising year, the association was able to also donate to these local nonprofits:

• Companions Animal Center (Kootenai Humane Society)

• Union Gospel Mission

• Double J Dog Ranch

• Local cancer charities

Outside the holiday season, these outdoor enthusiasts work to keep North Idaho beautiful and wild.

"We picked up trash off I-90 in Post Falls this year," Uhlich said. "We plan to make that an annual event."

They clear trails of debris to keep them safe for riding and they gather trash at campsites throughout the area's national forests. Uhlich said he's spoken with forest rangers who have shared concerns they may have to close certain areas if people keep trashing them.

"If we don’t start cleaning up, we’re going to lose them," Uhlich said.

Members can also be found working the beer garden at the North Idaho State Fair, where they collect tips to put in the pool of club funds that go back to the community.

The Back Country ATV and UTV Association will return to its outdoor excursions in the spring — exactly when is debatable, thanks to Mother Nature and Old Man Winter.

"I have a feeling this year is going to be a late start for us because of the weather," Uhlich said. "Maybe June we'll be on the trails again."

Info: backcountryatv-utv.org