Ride To St. Clare's Home For Children
Each weekend the BikerView Buddy Breakfast consisting of men and women meet at Lenora's Cafe in Keyport, NJ.
On the day of the St. Clare's Run, it was cold. We knew it was going to be at least 20 degrees in the morning known from weather report the night before so we really weren’t planning on going riding. We called each other in the morning and asked . “Are you going riding today?” The general consensus was "Are you kidding? It's freezing out there and I have ice in my driveway!" It wasn’t until one of us said "It's a toy run for the Kids" and that is all it took for us to get dressed, just like other bikers that day I'm sure. We got out of our nice warm beds and donned our extra warm apparel and braved the NJ Turnpike to exit 15w to go to an event we have never been to before or for that matter never heard of. St Clare's? or the sponsor, Arlington Lawn something or other. We figured it was some guy promoting his business through a charity.
The only person who seemed to know we were going to ride was Grape, the lady rider in our group had the forethought buying 6 unwrapped toys for us all. (We paid her back) That's how our day started out, It ended up being the feel good motorcycle event I have been on this year. My fellow Bikerview buddies agree, the toys and the $20 we shelled out for the pleasure of riding in the cold was well worth it.
When we arrived at the Kearny Elks Lodge, I met Paul Fadeski the coordinator and sponsor of this event and the owner of Arlington Lawnmower and Power Equipment, a company that’s been around for 43 years. (There goes promoting his business theory)
Paul was not what I expected. First thing I noticed was he was on crutches, I found out later was due to a serious infection, a complication of diabetes. I can assure you, the hopping around he did that day only made it worse. I give him credit for bringing this event all together.
In the 5 years Paul has been running the event, this is the first time, due to his condition, was not be able to participate the way he wanted, having been unable to ride himself since April.
Inside the Elks Lodge which donated the hall, was all decked out for Christmas, Paul’s daughter Madison and son Paul III were busy getting ready with Santa to bring the collected toys to their destination. Everyone was happy to be there.
The Kearny police officers attending went out of their way to make this a safe event and truly involved themselves in the event. I was asking a question of the one of the officers. I said, “Excuse me, Officer. He said. “ Franco.” I said “Excuse me, Officer Franco” He said “No! Just Franco.” I introduced myself as he put his hand out to shake mine and said. “Glad you could make it” That was the attitude we all received from everyone involved.
The ride started on time with Franco (Officer Franko Norat) and Officer Thomas Bannon following. These lawmen kept us safe and from the look of of it had more fun escorting us than we did. Santa was chauffeured by Paul’s wife Janine in a 1927 Essex.
We arrived at St. Clare's Home for Children in Jersey City, one of three houses operated by Dr. and Mrs. Zealand (Mrs. Z to all who know her) The other houses are in Asbury and Elizabeth. On hand is her sister in-law Annie and daughter Mya and together they bring light in darkness for babies and young adults alike infected with aids through no fault of their own. Until a cure is found for this terrible disease these living saints bring comfort to those brought into this world with little hope of reaching adulthood.
You can donate to St. Clare's by going directly to their website http://www.aidsresource.org
Or Call Annie Chen. 973-643-0400 ext. 710
This event although small generated $320 and every child had a new toy.
I know I speak for everyone involved when I say thank you to Paul from
Arlington Lawnmower and Power Equipment
483 Schuyler Ave. Kearny NJ 07032
201-991-1076
