NORTHUMBERLAND -- Marlee Reed would have been 8 today.

It's been 3 1/2 years since Marlee was beaten to death by her stepfather, Brentt Sherwood. But her grandparents, Melvin and Donna Reed, will never forget her.

And they want to make sure no one else will either.

Between 200-300 motorcyclists celebrated the young girl's birthday Sunday by participating in the 4th annual Marlee Reed Memorial Ride.

Mrs. Reed said the ride, while always a special event, held particular significance because it fell on her granddaughter's birthday.

"Yes, it's a very special day," she said, looking out over the mass of bikes sitting in the Northumberland American Legion parking lot, the sun glinting off the chrome. "She would be thrilled. She's watching down on us. She's smiling."

The Reeds, along with other members of the Susquehanna Valley Bikers Against Child Abuse, conceived of the ride as a way to not only keep Marlee's memory alive, but also to remind people of the tragedy of child abuse, at least for one day.

First-time riders Sue and Mike Jones, of Watsontown, wanted to take part in the ride ever since Marlee's story first broke in the news, but their own children's schedules prevented them until Sunday.

"(Marlee) was a beautiful little girl and the whole thing just touched me. She was the same age as my youngest when it happened," Mrs. Jones said. "Once you become a mom and see some of this stuff ... it hits closer to home."

Chet Ricewick, a member of the Christian Motorcyclists' Association, just got back into riding motorcycles and was eager to support a worthy cause.

"I raised five boys with my wife," he said. "There's absolutely no reason for child abuse."

The 78-mile ride took the bikers to St. Mary's Cemetery in Kulpmont, where Marlee is buried.

Mr. Reed, president of BACA, said police closed off the road running past the cemetery so they could park their bikes and join the Reeds at Marlee's grave.

"It really gets touching," he said, "when all those people gather around ... It means a lot when they do that."

He added, "Marlee would be real proud of what's going on."