To the editor:
The East Coast Riders are a group of men and women motorcycle riders who ride American made motorcycles. We believe in brotherhood, sisterhood, neighborhood, and doing good. East Coast Riders have been in existence since 2002. Our ages range from 20 to 60+ years old. Our membership usually has from 55-60 members.
All our members are very community minded and we like to help out the less fortunate. Over the last several years we have raffled off a brand new Harley Davidson motorcycle with much of the proceeds going to Hospice and other local charities. This year we presented Hospice with a check for $14,000 and in total we have donated more than $130,000 to Hospice so far. This is just one of the many donations that East Coast Riders has made.
In the past we have donated and helped support the following: Make A Wish, Ronald McDonald House, Loop For The Troops, Patriot Flight Ride, Wounded Warrior Foundation, The Healthcare Consortium, Tap Out Cancer, Autism Speaks, Capitol Region Miracle League, Boy Scout Troop 2114, Mondo’s Run, Erica Wardon Fundraiser, The Jarhead MC (accident victims families), The Minbrole Scholarship Fund, the Backpack Programs at Ichabod Crane, Chatham, and New Lebanon schools, The Firemen’s Run, etc., etc.
Every fall East Coast Riders has Tim’s Run, which is a run that raises money for needy families in the area. The proceeds from this ride are used to buy Christmas presents and food for several needy families. Once the presents and food have been purchased we meet at Winding Brook Country Club the Saturday before Christmas and wrap the presents and put the food in large totes. Prior to this day several ladies from the club and their elves make up beautiful baskets filled with homemade cookies and other items. The following day, Sunday, we meet and distribute the presents and food to the selected needy families. We usually average about seven families every year.
In our “spare time” we are part of the Adopt a Highway Program. We do clean up from the traffic circle by Hannaford Supermarket, down Route 9 to Samascott’s Market. We usually do this twice a year or as needed.
At some point you may see us out on the road, usually a large group of motorcycles going down the highway. It may seem intimidating but please realize that we are out there probably raising money for some charitable organization or for some needy families.
Might I suggest that you beep and wave and let us know that you support what we’re doing. So now you know a little bit about what the East Coast Riders do and who we are.
I want to say one last thing; THANK YOU to all the folks who buy our raffle tickets for the motorcycle. You folks are awesome because you are some of the reason why we as a group can help our surrounding communities.
Jim Sharp
East Coast Riders
Valatie