Knox American Legion Riders Continue Support of Community

Aly Delp

Aly Delp

Published October 17, 2018 4:45 am
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KNOX, Pa. (EYT) – The Knox Chapter of the American Legion Riders is continuing in their mission to support the community through fundraising efforts.

(Knox American Legion Riders presented the Mechling-Shakley Veterans Center a check for $6,500.00.)

For the last three years, the Knox American Legion Riders have raised money for the Mechling-Shakley Veterans Center, a community-based residential treatment facility for homeless veterans needing rehabilitation and support, located in Armstrong County. They raised $4,500 in 2016, $5,000 in 2017, and most recently presented a check for $6,500 raised this year.

According to Greg Grimm, of the Knox American Legion Riders, this year’s donation to the Mechling-Shakley Veterans Center will be earmarked for the purchase of a large generator for the facility.

“They have a lot of refrigeration unit and things, and they would like to get a generator for use during power outages,” said Grimm.

Grimm also noted that they have been impressed with the increasing success rate of Mechling-Shakley Veterans Center, which has risen to 70% this year.

“They are doing a fabulous job,” he said.

While the Knox American Legion Riders have their own fundraising efforts to organize, that isn’t the extent of their activities. They also participate in funeral processions, Rolling Thunder, Ride to the Thunder, the escort of The Wall that Heals, as well as the laying of a wreath at the Civil War Unknowns Monument.

“It’s quite impressive to see. For that wreath presentation, there are about 300 bikes that go there,” Grimm said.

The Knox American Legion Riders are also part of an alliance of seven local organizations, including motorcycle clubs, other local American Legion Rider groups, and local ABATE organizations, which all pledge to support each other in their fundraising efforts. In any case, where at least five riders from a group are unable to attend another group’s event, the organization will donate $100.00.

“If it rains, then we can at least cover expenses,” Grimm noted. “It’s worked out nicely. It’s just a very supportive group. The people that take part in these events, most of the time we pay to take part: by the time you pay an entry fee and buy auction tickets or 50/50 tickets, it can be $75.00 to $100.00 per person, so it’s a commitment. Some people do this on a weekly basis and raise a lot of money. People don’t realize, it’s a group that had really dedicated time and money to take part in this stuff.”

Grimm also noted that local businesses often donate money for t-shirt sponsorship or items for Chinese auctions.

“There’s a lot of sponsorship, and we really want to thank everyone that does that. They make this possible.”

The American Legion Riders began as a motorcycle enthusiasts association in 1993.

Chuck “Tramp” Dare and Bill “Polka” Kaledas organized and managed the first chapter in Garden City, Michigan, and went on to establish a central source for the Riders to ensure that chapters formed as Legionnaires, Auxiliary, and SAL members joining to ride as Legion family.

Currently, there are over 110,000 American Legion Riders who meet in over 2,000 chapters across the country and in at least three foreign countries. Riders in Mulvane, Kansas, founded the nationally known Patriot Guard to protect the sanctity of military funerals from protesters.

Riders from across the country spent time escorting military units returning home from combat tours overseas, conducting fundraising events for wounded warriors, and raising millions of dollars for countless charities in their local areas, as well as statewide and national charities.

Many Riders conduct annual statewide Legacy Runs in support of American Legion scholarship programs or programs supporting wounded servicemembers.

Although the Knox Chapter of the American Legion Riders was only organized within the last four to five years, they have already become a notable organization, participating in multiple fundraising efforts. The group currently has approximately 40 members, but are always looking to increase their membership.

Currently, the Knox American Legion Riders hold two major fundraisers each year: a raffle event in June and a motorcycle run fundraiser in August. The group chooses a local recipient for each event, ranging from local veterans or families in need to local individuals or families dealing with cancer diagnosis and treatment.

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