Pictured in this week’s photo are some people who make every day a good day — even in a year that found us with an earthquake, a hurricane, a tropical storm and a major flood in the Wyoming Valley. These people keep their eyes on the goal and know that what they do is greater than just getting on their motorcycles and riding for fun. There are kids out there who don’t know these people exist, but will remember them long after the Christmas tree has been taken down and the lights put away for the season.
Each year, the Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club (WVMC) seems to have these people as members in abundance. This is a follow up on the 4th annual Bikes for Tykes Run story we ran on Sept. 13. This is a story about ordinary people who care enough about this community to go above and beyond the normal expectations of bikers. And we all know that bikers have the biggest, softest hearts of any group! This year, and the tragedies we’ve been through as a community, make this an even more special event.
“The WVMC Bikes 4 Tykes motorcycle fundraiser was the idea of Robert Lonsdale, who is one of the Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club’s past presidents,” says Dave Hooper, current president of the WVMC. “It was created to replace the WVMC Teddy Bear Run which had to be discontinued due to insurance liability reasons with Wilkes-Barre City Police Department.”
Hooper says the run is presented in memory of Big George Thompson, a club member who passed away from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
All the proceeds from the run go toward holding a Christmas party and giving bicycles to underprivileged children of the Wyoming Valley with the help of Catholic Social Services. The club purchases the bikes, and CSS chooses the children who are involved with its agency.
“The Christmas party, complete with Santa, reindeer and elves is held at the Ashley Firemen’s Hall, which is donated to WVMC by the gracious Ashley Fire Department,” Hooper shares.
Aside from the money raised directly by the WVMC, other people, agencies and businesses helped out.
“Seeds of Abraham Motorcycle Club and individual WVMC club members donated money,” Hooper says. “WVMC member Jim Gill raised money with a dress-down day at his place of employment, Intermetro Industries. His wife, Carol, raised money with donations from her place of employment, Kingston Surgery Center/Eyecare Specialists.”
In addition, Tommy Boy’s Bar and Grill in Nanticoke and Indian Lake Inn in Bear Creek sold donation cards for the event while Good-Fellos Food & Spirit in Pittston donated complimentary food, drink specials and their establishment for the end location of the ride.
“This event would never be the great success that it is without their help and participation,” Hooper says. “Last year we fell a little short on participation, but we were fortunately able to get a lot of help with a donation from (the) Valley with a Heart.”
Hooper feels proud to follow in Lonsdale’s footsteps with the help of club members to continue this worthwhile event.
“It gives great pleasure to see the excitement and big smile on a kid’s face when they place their hands on the handlebars of these bikes — kind of like when we place our hands on the handlebars of our bikes.”
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