MINDEMOYA—When you get members of Brothers of the Blade (BOTB) and the Brothers of the Wheel (BOTW) motorcycle clubs together with Community Living (CL) clients at the Timberlane Rustic Lodge for the annual Pennies from Heaven event, it is the smiles, hugs and best wishes among friends that haven’t seen each other in a year that really tugs on the heartstrings.
“We look forward to this every year,” stated Gary Meads, one of the main organizers of the event this year along with Chris Crash.
“There is nothing more gratifying than this,” said Mr. Crash.
This year close to 60 motorcyclists from the two clubs travelled from southern Ontario, and from West Virginia, Ohio and Tennessee to take part. “There are a bunch of guys this year that have never been here before,” said Mr. Crash. “They were in awe of the property here last night but wait until all the Community Living clients get here. It will blow them away how great this event is.”
The CL clients of Manitoulin, Espanola and for the first time Wiikwemkoong enjoyed several great hours together, playing games, enjoying a fabulous lunch and officially, donating the funds the bikers have raised since last years Penny Run.
Among the games the bikers host for the CL clients include the egg race, potato hunt and weenie bite. However, the event where the smiles come out in full takes place when the bikers take CL clients on a short ride on their motorcycles.
“You will never find a kinder group of guys,” said Katherine Tipper.
“This event brings a tear to my eye every year,” one of the CL staff workers said. “My heart just swells at this event every year. It makes you think everything is good in the world for a couple of hours.”
Adrienne Farquhar, executive director of CLM told The Expositor, “Oh my gosh. I think this is one of the best days of the year. We started talking about this year’s event in June and everyone can’t wait to see each other. And then after the event everyone can’t wait for next year’s event. And it is awesome that both the Wiikwemkoong and Espanola groups are included.”
At the awards ceremony Mr. Meades said, “We would like to thank everyone for coming here today. The pandemic had put a damper on stuff, but this event is really getting going again. We want to thank all our brothers and sisters from down south for being here today, and for Bill (Wall) and Mark (Varey) for letting us come back to this venue every year.”
Mr. Meades presented awards to the CL winners in each of the games, including Mary Claire who won the potato hunt game, Amy who won in the weenie bite game and Cassie who won the egg race game.
Cassie stated, “Thank you to everyone for coming out today and we really enjoyed having the bikers here and the bike rides.”
“This was an amazing day,” stated Mr. Crash. “We appreciate everyone who showed up.”
Every year the motorcyclists request a wish list from each CL that they raise funds for during the year to make happen. Funds raised will be evenly distributed among the three CL organizations.
Ms. Farquhar told everyone in attendance, “I want to say an incredibly big thank you to the motorcyclists here today, and everyone who had a part in putting on this event today. This event is like Christmas, or a wedding where everyone looks forward to it all year. I would also like to thank all the guys and guys who help put this on, all the CL staff who are here today.”
“Every year the bikers give each CL a donation,” said Ms. Farquhar. “The donation we received will be going toward a new hard top gazebo for one of the clients’ homes. Again, I would like to say a great big thank you to all of you—none of this would be possible without all of you being here every year.”
Ms. Farquhar told The Expositor, “Unfortunately one of the Espanola CL group’s vehicles broke down in the gas station in Espanola this morning. But I was told Chris (Crash) and about 20 of the other (motorcycles) will be going to visit them on Sunday on their way back home. Amazing.”
