SANTAS ARRIVE ON 2 WHEELS Motorcycle club brings gifts to fa
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 6:37 am
SANTAS ARRIVE ON 2 WHEELS Motorcycle club brings gifts to family CHRISTMAS ROARS INTO TOWN
Motorcycle group donates to Fredericksburg family
Monday, December 18, 2006 - By KAFIA - fredericksburg.com - fredericksburg.com
Christmas came a little early and roared through on motorcycles yesterday for Fredericksburg resident Latashia McNeil.
As a single mother of four and a part-time college student, holiday shopping can be a daunting task for the 27-year-old.
But this year, Christmas will make a smaller pinch on her wallet because of a donation from The East Coast Clubs United Motorcycle Association, an umbrella organization of bikers' clubs in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
About 50 bikers, clad in black leather vests and jackets, flooded McNeil's block in the early afternoon.
They unloaded several boxes filled with gift certificates, canned goods, apple sauce, peanut butter and other dry foods.
McNeil was elated with the gift donations.
"Anything I can get is appreciated," she said, beaming. "I thank God.
The association donates to one family every holiday season, said Charles "Lone Rider" Edwards, president of the Liberty Riders Motorcycle Club in Thornburg.
"I don't look down on anyone unless I'm helping them up," he said. "That's my motto."
Last year the bikers' group presented gifts and supplies to a single-parent household in Maryland.
But this is the first time the association donated to a Virginia family, Edwards said.
Liberty Rider member Tangelene "Lil Bits" Brown of Fredericksburg recommended McNeil and her children as this year's gift recipients.
"She's been a friend for a long time," Brown said. "It makes me feel good" to be able to help.
McNeil is a business administration student at Stratford University in Woodbridge, and also works part-time through various temporary employment agencies.
She is the sole provider for her children--Keyanna McNeil, 11; Dontashia Allen, 5; Duricio McNeil, 3 and Aamir McNeil, 1.
McNeil said juggling school, work and motherhood is a difficult task.
After she finishes classes, she comes home to her children in the late evening and then "we have to go through the whole bedtime routine," she said.
McNeil hopes to open her own business one day.
For now, she is grateful for the assistance.
"I really appreciate this," McNeil told the bikers gathered around her porch as she fought back the tears.
"From me and my family, we thank you."
Motorcycle group donates to Fredericksburg family
Monday, December 18, 2006 - By KAFIA - fredericksburg.com - fredericksburg.com
Christmas came a little early and roared through on motorcycles yesterday for Fredericksburg resident Latashia McNeil.
As a single mother of four and a part-time college student, holiday shopping can be a daunting task for the 27-year-old.
But this year, Christmas will make a smaller pinch on her wallet because of a donation from The East Coast Clubs United Motorcycle Association, an umbrella organization of bikers' clubs in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
About 50 bikers, clad in black leather vests and jackets, flooded McNeil's block in the early afternoon.
They unloaded several boxes filled with gift certificates, canned goods, apple sauce, peanut butter and other dry foods.
McNeil was elated with the gift donations.
"Anything I can get is appreciated," she said, beaming. "I thank God.
The association donates to one family every holiday season, said Charles "Lone Rider" Edwards, president of the Liberty Riders Motorcycle Club in Thornburg.
"I don't look down on anyone unless I'm helping them up," he said. "That's my motto."
Last year the bikers' group presented gifts and supplies to a single-parent household in Maryland.
But this is the first time the association donated to a Virginia family, Edwards said.
Liberty Rider member Tangelene "Lil Bits" Brown of Fredericksburg recommended McNeil and her children as this year's gift recipients.
"She's been a friend for a long time," Brown said. "It makes me feel good" to be able to help.
McNeil is a business administration student at Stratford University in Woodbridge, and also works part-time through various temporary employment agencies.
She is the sole provider for her children--Keyanna McNeil, 11; Dontashia Allen, 5; Duricio McNeil, 3 and Aamir McNeil, 1.
McNeil said juggling school, work and motherhood is a difficult task.
After she finishes classes, she comes home to her children in the late evening and then "we have to go through the whole bedtime routine," she said.
McNeil hopes to open her own business one day.
For now, she is grateful for the assistance.
"I really appreciate this," McNeil told the bikers gathered around her porch as she fought back the tears.
"From me and my family, we thank you."