Hells Angels bikes deliver toys to needy kids
#1
12-13-2008, 03:51 PM
Hells Angels bikes deliver toys to needy kids
150 Hells Angels bikes deliver toys to needy kids
4 commentsby Nathan Gonzalez - Dec. 10, 2008 10:26 AM
The Arizona Republic
The sound of a couple of roaring motorcycles through the lobby of Mesa's Family Resource Center brought a smile to Pamela Godfrey and other staff members eagerly awaiting a Christmas donation from the notorious biker gang Hells Angels.
"They're here," said Godfrey, community relations manager for the Child Crisis Center, which oversees the resource center. Waiting outside were Chuck "Taz" Morgan and two other members of the Hells Angels hoping to brighten the holiday for the city's less fortunate children.
During its 11th annual one-day toy run Sunday, the Hells Angels Mesa Charter collected 512 toys and $800 for the center. The run began at Tempe's Tri-City Eagles and ended at Arizona Joe's in Apache Junction.
"We probably had 150 bikes," Morgan said, noting that although the biker gang has gained a bad reputation in the past, events such as the annual run show that many club members are interested in helping others.
"The kids get excited about it. It's a great thing and that's why we do it," he said. "The Mesa chapter is family oriented, and we are just trying to keep it that way."
One by one, resource center staff and Angels sporting bandanas and their traditional leather jackets hoisted hundreds of stuffed animals, toys and games from a covered trailer.
A large purple stuffed animal larger than some children was pulled aside, while a black Spider-Man bicycle with training wheels sat near packaged dolls and a slew of electronic gadgets.
This year's take, however, was down.
The sour economy has many people giving less to charities this year, both Morgan and Godfrey said. The center, which serves as a temporary safe shelter for abused and neglected children, has taken a serious hit in financial donations and gifts it receives.
"The need is so much greater for our prevention programs and shelter. We are taking care of kids in crisis," Godfrey said. "It is impacting us greatly."
The Child Crisis Center was founded in 1981 by the Mahnah Club of Mesa and helps provide family support, counseling and medical services for children. The center also helps children find adoptive or foster homes.
Between 400 and 500 children from birth to 11 years old stay at the center's shelter annually, Godfrey said. Stays can last up to three weeks.
The center works with Mesa Public Schools to enroll children staying longer than one week and others are given access to tutors at the shelter, which has a series of classrooms.
Although many children coming through the Child Crisis Center door have had somewhat of a turbulent start to their lives, come Dec. 25 every child there will have a present to unwrap and a smile on their young faces.
"It's a long day of wrapping paper, food and celebration. We make sure the kids aren't unhappy on Christmas morning," Godfrey said.
4 commentsby Nathan Gonzalez - Dec. 10, 2008 10:26 AM
The Arizona Republic
The sound of a couple of roaring motorcycles through the lobby of Mesa's Family Resource Center brought a smile to Pamela Godfrey and other staff members eagerly awaiting a Christmas donation from the notorious biker gang Hells Angels.
"They're here," said Godfrey, community relations manager for the Child Crisis Center, which oversees the resource center. Waiting outside were Chuck "Taz" Morgan and two other members of the Hells Angels hoping to brighten the holiday for the city's less fortunate children.
During its 11th annual one-day toy run Sunday, the Hells Angels Mesa Charter collected 512 toys and $800 for the center. The run began at Tempe's Tri-City Eagles and ended at Arizona Joe's in Apache Junction.
"We probably had 150 bikes," Morgan said, noting that although the biker gang has gained a bad reputation in the past, events such as the annual run show that many club members are interested in helping others.
"The kids get excited about it. It's a great thing and that's why we do it," he said. "The Mesa chapter is family oriented, and we are just trying to keep it that way."
One by one, resource center staff and Angels sporting bandanas and their traditional leather jackets hoisted hundreds of stuffed animals, toys and games from a covered trailer.
A large purple stuffed animal larger than some children was pulled aside, while a black Spider-Man bicycle with training wheels sat near packaged dolls and a slew of electronic gadgets.
This year's take, however, was down.
The sour economy has many people giving less to charities this year, both Morgan and Godfrey said. The center, which serves as a temporary safe shelter for abused and neglected children, has taken a serious hit in financial donations and gifts it receives.
"The need is so much greater for our prevention programs and shelter. We are taking care of kids in crisis," Godfrey said. "It is impacting us greatly."
The Child Crisis Center was founded in 1981 by the Mahnah Club of Mesa and helps provide family support, counseling and medical services for children. The center also helps children find adoptive or foster homes.
Between 400 and 500 children from birth to 11 years old stay at the center's shelter annually, Godfrey said. Stays can last up to three weeks.
The center works with Mesa Public Schools to enroll children staying longer than one week and others are given access to tutors at the shelter, which has a series of classrooms.
Although many children coming through the Child Crisis Center door have had somewhat of a turbulent start to their lives, come Dec. 25 every child there will have a present to unwrap and a smile on their young faces.
"It's a long day of wrapping paper, food and celebration. We make sure the kids aren't unhappy on Christmas morning," Godfrey said.
#2
12-13-2008, 07:30 PM
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#5
12-13-2008, 09:45 PM
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About time the media shows something positive for a change. Well...'cept for calling them a gang instead of a club. A lot of these guys are some of the best people you will ever meet.
#6
12-13-2008, 10:01 PM
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Good Job HA ! Anyone who has the heart to brighten the holiday for a needy child during Christmas season. Has a heart of gold.
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#8
12-13-2008, 11:17 PM
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A toy drive involving them about 3 years ago in Norco California resulted in a couple of deaths via gunshot wounds. One of the people shot was a firefighter loading toys on the truck. I think it's nice they are helping out but it doesn't change the reality of their normal mission.
#9
12-13-2008, 11:52 PM
And more of them are involved in criminal activity than being good samaritans.
A toy drive involving them about 3 years ago in Norco California resulted in a couple of deaths via gunshot wounds. One of the people shot was a firefighter loading toys on the truck. I think it's nice they are helping out but it doesn't change the reality of their normal mission.
A toy drive involving them about 3 years ago in Norco California resulted in a couple of deaths via gunshot wounds. One of the people shot was a firefighter loading toys on the truck. I think it's nice they are helping out but it doesn't change the reality of their normal mission.
Just asking, I don't know their "normal mission".
