Original publication: BikerTrash.com
Original byline: Miss BB
Inaugural Biker Run for Kids
Children’s Hospital Orange County
Copyrighted 2000 by Miss BB
A beautiful angel rode into our world asking brothers and sisters for help in raising money for God’s littlest angels, known as the Children of Orange County .
These earth angels, Sandy Moore , Bill Rivera and Ed Arbini, put together the event with Celebrity Host (Tool Time’s) Mickey Jones and set out together on a mission for the children of Orange County (CHOC). These individuals gave 100% of their time, heart and soul and they created a successful motorcycle charity event in only half the time that is usually required. CHOC opened in November 1991 licensed to care for 192 patients. Children’s Hospital at Mission (CHM) opened in 1993 and is a 53-bed hospital specializing in pediatric medicine and emotional care for children from infant to adolescence in South Orange County.
These two facilities, CHOC and CHM, are Orange County’s only not-for-profit facilities that exclusively serve children. Combined they have treated more than three-quarters of a million children since opening. Regardless of race, creed, national origin, religion or a family’s ability to pay, CHOC and CHM welcome these special children, many who require intensive and costly medical care. CHOC relies on the generosity of the community to provide financial resources to fund patient care, research, and community education as well as any capital expansion programs. The hospital also has 15 associations and a corporate support group, the Padrinos, who assist to provide resources for the hospital.
The day of the fund raising event the crystal clear blue skies and billowy soft clouds encouraged bikers to ride this day and attend the fundraiser. Dennis Comba, Manager of Sloppy Joe’s, greeted Billy Gordon and I with an open hand of friendship. Billy was invited by CHOC to make a special guest appearance. Dennis allowed Billy’s antique Flathead Harley to be placed inside Sloppy Joe’s and Billy then left to prepare for his afternoon performance.
I noticed a tall guy checking out the stickers that decorate my briefcase when I was settling into the CHOC’s information booth. “F__k Fear” and “Ride Naked” he read out loud with a smile. He laughed then said, “Right on!” Turning my briefcase over I said, “This one’s my favorite. “Patience my ass I’m going to kill somebody”.
Bob O’Meara, Director of Finance for CHOC laughed and introduced himself, “I’m just poor white trash, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” “Myself, I’m just trash and damn proud of it.”
I noticed the HAMC ( Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club) support booth being set up inside Sloppy Joe’s. Pleased to see them I made a beeline for their table. I bought a men’s white “Support your Local Orange County Chapter” tank top. I quickly replacing the “BikerTrash.com” T-shirt I had come in wearing (sorry boss, I had too because I wanted too). By the end of the day Orange County Chapter HAMC support T-shirts were seen everywhere as bikers and Sloppy Joe staff members sported their very own HAMC T-shirts.
The roar of Harleys rattled my eardrums and I watched as a formation of scoots head out from the parking lot toward the highway. Soon Mickey Jones headed out with his own group of fellow bikers and proceeded towards CHOC at the Mission center.
The weather perfect and the roads open, this made for a bitchin’ ride. What a treat my friends, yes indeed what a treat. Our next stop, Cook’s Corner is a historic landmark built in 1922 and a place scooter trash call home. Inside there is a full bar and down home country cooking with patio dining and live music. It’s a favorite watering hole for the local bikers. Definitely a must see for any biker planning a visit to the area.
Cook’s Corner donated two T-shirts as raffle prizes. Our journey would now lead us to the children of CHOC. Waiting patiently inside, the children grew excited as they heard the rumble of Harleys pulling up. Bikes filled the hospital’s entrance; beams of sunlight reflected off the chrome as the bike’s leather clad riders climbed off to enter the hospital. Each tiny hand of a child held a deck of cards. IV solutions hung from IV poles, wheelchairs carried a few children and hats, caps and scarves covered each of the small bald heads that had once grown beautiful hair.
Hospital gowns, tubes…even pain couldn’t keep these children away the day the bikers rode in to play with them!
Rose colored cheeks, eyes bright and smiles so wide that they threatened to break the little faces in half the children were asked, “Whose afraid of the Big Bad Bikers?”
“Not us! Not us!” they said with big grins.
It was very obvious Mickey Jones is not a stranger to these children. Scrambling to sit on his lap they whispered into his ears and laughed. He promised he would return soon and I have no doubt Mickey will keep his word and not disappoint his little friends. It’s no secret Mickey’s been personally involved with these children lives for almost a year now, not because he has to or he’s getting paid, but because he wants too.
Sloppy Joe’s parking lot was packed with Harley’s returning from the poker run. Nine hundred plus rode to this first time event and it was truly a beautiful sight to behold.
The KIIS FM radio station colorful van was parked right outside Sloppy Joe’s front doors. A crazy woman with a funny blue hat stood behind Kiis’s table handing out free stuff. I had just missed “Chester the Arrester”, loved by his radio many fans for always giving Kiis money away. Damn it! I missed out again for free money.
On stage Whirlwind performed while couples pounded the dance floor. I could hear the clink of beer mugs though the room as biker friends toasted one another. The staff kept on top of the demands of thirsty customers and they made it look so easy to do! We wanted for nothing and were made to feel like old friends. Normally, I’m the one causing the trouble or getting a party started.
Sloppy Joe’s entire staff made me look like Mary Poppins in comparison to their wild ways. I loved it! ELF, Bar Manager/Promotions of Sloppy Joe’s, tended the bar. Picture this, a large, white thirty-something guy, blonde hair with freckles dotting his face, wearing an illegal helmet, backwards, sporting a sticker that says, “Helmet Laws Still Suck!” while serving a cold one. “Cool, huh!”
Because this was CHOC’s first Biker Run I told myself, “I should behave. I should behave. I should behave.” Try as I might to control my urges to flash, “I was a bad, bad girl. But it was all Elf’s fault! I swear it!” Baring his chest, pointing to his chest and giving me the most pitiful look while still wearing my stupid helmet backwards, I finally gave in.
Of course, I didn’t have to do it all afternoon long, but what the hell, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t! Now that Elf thought he had me, he jumped the bar dropped and his drawers and gave me the moon. “Sorry Elf but this time I had to decline ass exposure. But hey yours was nice!”
Black silk scarves were handed out to everyone. A moment of silence was led by Sandy Moore and Mickey Jones in memory of our lost brothers and sisters and for fallen brother Larry Braden, killed September 19th by a careless driver.
Thank you Sandy for including our family on this day of your charity run. You are truly are a Harley Angel.
Hundred’s gathered around the stage, packed close together, holding fistfuls of colorful raffle tickets. There were a large variety of items donated from shops, outlaw clubs and individuals. It seemed a very long time before Mickey called the last ticket. And at last a 1998 Collectable Harley Davidson Ultra Bike, valued at $28,000 was then brought up for auction.
Finally, kick starting the Flathead Harley to life, Billy Gordon took over the stage. He performed with the Whirlwind drummer as back up and gave the bikers one of the best performances of his life. Everyone enjoyed the music and partied with Billy. The day soon came to an end, the parking lot at last empty.
The event now a memory for the children of CHOC and those who cared enough to ride. $35,000 was raised from raffle sales, poker registration and cash donations. I am very proud to report that 100% of the proceeds; every last dime, was given to CHOC.
It’s wonderful to know that the littlest angels have been helped.
Inside Sloppy Joe’s establishment hangs an original art piece that illustrates the children of CHOC and the bikers who support them. Professionally matted and framed, valued at $1000, it is up for $1 raffle until New Year’s Eve of 2001. You need not be present to win and again all proceeds made from raffle sale will be donated to CHOC.
Who is the artist? I am, Miss BB. Tickets can be bought directly from Sloppy Joe’s, 31 Fortune Drive, Suite 104, Irvine, CA 92618 or mail your donation/s Attention: Miss BB CHOC Raffle, 5621 Littler Drive, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 with a return SASE to receive your half of the ticket.
Special thanks go out to Mary, Steven Alvarez, Dan Alvarez, Dora, Gulmaro, Heather and Melissa children of CHOC who handed out the poker hands to the bikers. Stitch and Cricket my bikertrash.com assistants, Jake Parmer, David Griffith, Elf, Sloppy Joe’s Management and Ric Morley for the fantastic audio/lights service he provided.
Mini Mailers , Orange County Harley-Davidson Massis Chahbazian of The Printery ,Steve Schapiro Motorcycle Attorney ,American Thunder, Lois Augustine, CHOC Community Relations Manager, Joe of Sierra Scooter Scoop all sponsors, volunteers, staff members, and most of all my biker brothers and sisters in the wind.
Live free
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