Bikers rally to help kids
Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:07 am
Bikers rally to help kids
Monday, December 11, 2006 - By Jenn Smith, Berkshire Eagle Staff - berkshireeagle.com
PITTSFIELD — When hardships happen near the holidays, it's hard to find happiness.
But yesterday, more than 30 merry motorcycle riders and volunteers gathered in an effort to help local children enjoy the simple things in life, like owning a brand new bicycle.
For the third year in a row, the Berkshire County Harley Owners Group, better known as H.O.G. Chapter 2030, has been able to expand its Bikers for Bikes program.
"Anything for kids, we'll pretty much do," said Gary Swain of Pittsfield, while assembling a new bike at Ronnie's Cycle on Wahconah Street.
When the program began in 2004, the group was able to purchase 42 bikes. This year, they'll be giving almost a hundred Huffys, from tricycles to mountain bikes. The group also collected more than 200 bike helmets from various local law and safety enforcement departments.
"Wild" Bill Knowles, director of the local H.O.G., spoke of one local mother, a homemaker, who has three children and recently lost her husband.
"We're giving all four of them bikes, so they'll at least have something as a family," he said.
Other recipients will include families stressed with medical bills, those who have recently lost jobs and those who are struggling with other issues. The H.O.G. group also teamed up with two volunteers to benefit the Create-a-Dream and Hillcrest Educational programs of Berkshire Health Systems.
"There's a lot of these stories all over Berkshire County. It's a really good feeling to think that we can help," said Knowles.
Though Bikers for Bikes is a project unique to the club, the program is only one of many community efforts done by the group.
Area bikers from all different groups as well as solo riders regularly get together for many charities, raising tens of thousands of dollars each year.
"We're just a little luckier than some of these other kids, so we try to help out. It shows our better sides to everyone," said Ken Lagarce of Lenox.
For example, last year's Berkshire Rally at Eastover Resort in Lenox raised money to erect a new cabin for the Boys' Club camp. The recent Fall Run had nearly 3,000 bikes participating and raised around $40,000 for the Children's Hospital.
"Regardless of the weather, we're out there. We don't stop to think, we just do," said Jim Nason of Pownal, Vt.
"Kids — that's what it's all about," he said.
Monday, December 11, 2006 - By Jenn Smith, Berkshire Eagle Staff - berkshireeagle.com
PITTSFIELD — When hardships happen near the holidays, it's hard to find happiness.
But yesterday, more than 30 merry motorcycle riders and volunteers gathered in an effort to help local children enjoy the simple things in life, like owning a brand new bicycle.
For the third year in a row, the Berkshire County Harley Owners Group, better known as H.O.G. Chapter 2030, has been able to expand its Bikers for Bikes program.
"Anything for kids, we'll pretty much do," said Gary Swain of Pittsfield, while assembling a new bike at Ronnie's Cycle on Wahconah Street.
When the program began in 2004, the group was able to purchase 42 bikes. This year, they'll be giving almost a hundred Huffys, from tricycles to mountain bikes. The group also collected more than 200 bike helmets from various local law and safety enforcement departments.
"Wild" Bill Knowles, director of the local H.O.G., spoke of one local mother, a homemaker, who has three children and recently lost her husband.
"We're giving all four of them bikes, so they'll at least have something as a family," he said.
Other recipients will include families stressed with medical bills, those who have recently lost jobs and those who are struggling with other issues. The H.O.G. group also teamed up with two volunteers to benefit the Create-a-Dream and Hillcrest Educational programs of Berkshire Health Systems.
"There's a lot of these stories all over Berkshire County. It's a really good feeling to think that we can help," said Knowles.
Though Bikers for Bikes is a project unique to the club, the program is only one of many community efforts done by the group.
Area bikers from all different groups as well as solo riders regularly get together for many charities, raising tens of thousands of dollars each year.
"We're just a little luckier than some of these other kids, so we try to help out. It shows our better sides to everyone," said Ken Lagarce of Lenox.
For example, last year's Berkshire Rally at Eastover Resort in Lenox raised money to erect a new cabin for the Boys' Club camp. The recent Fall Run had nearly 3,000 bikes participating and raised around $40,000 for the Children's Hospital.
"Regardless of the weather, we're out there. We don't stop to think, we just do," said Jim Nason of Pownal, Vt.
"Kids — that's what it's all about," he said.