SCOOTER GIRL: Honoring those who help

There’s a new organization in Wilkes-Barre called Downtown Gives Thanks. It was started by Pete Scavone, a member of the band Outta the Blue, and his wife, Patricia, as well as some other local musicians. This year marks the first time that this group will host a fundraiser and award ceremony to thank a local group for working hard for charity.

This year’s award winner will be the Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club (WVMC). Over the years, you’ve read many articles about the different fundraisers that this club has organized, such as the June 12 SPCA run, which was the 13th annual run.

“The club was established in 1999,” WVMC President Dave Hooper said. “The SPCA run was presented by WVMC in the first year of the club’s existence. In the following years, WVMC has raised money for Wilkes-Barre Police Dept. (Teddy Bear Run), Crosswalks Foundation (Bikes4Tykes), Catholic Social Services (Bikes4Tykes) and The Wyoming Valley Children’s Assoc. (Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Show). The club is nonprofit and is self-supporting.”

This is exactly the criteria that prompted Scavone to want to recognize the organization.

“We want to be the acknowledge people, be the eyes and ears to those who are lending hands to help,” he said.

As to the selection process, Scavone stated that organizations “must have been doing charity work for over three years, take no money from the charity events or have anyone draw a salary from the charitable work, and they must be legitimate groups.”

As for the event that will be held Sunday, Nov. 20 from 4-8 p.m. at Downtown Arts (47 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre), WVMC will receive an award and plaque. Cost, which is $10 at the door for all ages, includes beverages, but you must be 21 to drink. Music will be provided by Outta the Blue and Stealing Neil.

And how did Downtown Give Thanks come about?

“My wife and I, along with some other local musicians, got together and decided to do something to recognize this type of work.”

He said the group is “strictly local consulting, we keep our eyes and ears open. There is no charge for consulting or say loaning a PA system — whatever is needed” as the group wants to be able to help all charitable organizations and events wherever they can to be successful. His band had donated its time to play at the SPCA run and was very impressed by the work done and the huge turnout for the event. What impressed Scavone more was that the WVMC gave 100 percent of the money earned to the SPCA.

“We wanted to do something for these selfless people,” he said. “People need to know who these people are. This will help get some more people aware and jumping on board.”

For more info on the event, e-mail pjscavone@yahoo.com. The funds raised from this event will help to cover the promotions and Downtown Arts costs. Any profits will be used to open a charitable fund.

As the winter riding season approaches, we are going to give the column a much needed sabbatical until March. Ride safe, and I’ll see you in the spring!