Wisconsin Rapids Freemasons Lodge No. 128 recently organized its second annual youth Bike Rodeo & Safety Fair.
The Rodeo was held at the Grand Rapids Lions Club and integrated the Masonic Lodge, Order of Eastern Star, Shriners, Widows’ Son Motorcycle Club, the Lions Club, the Wisconsin Rapids and Grand Rapids Police Departments and volunteers from Brings Cycle. It was great to be able to bring together all of these organizations for one purpose: the safety of our children.
Police Officers from both the Wisconsin Rapids and Grand Rapids Departments instructed the children along with one of our Brothers who is a safety crossing guard.
The event was for children from Kindergarten through the sixth grade where kids can learn safe riding skills, have their bikes inspected and minor repairs or adjustments done and helmets properly fitted as well as new helmets given to those needing them at no cost. Volunteers from Brings Cycle conducted the inspections, the helmets were provided by a grant from Bell. Loaner bikes were also provided to those children needing them.
Hot dogs, chips and drinks were provided – as was a chance to win a brand-new bike. In total, 15 new boys’ and girls’ bikes were raffled off by individual age categories at the end of the event — including an awesome BMX bike donated by our local Widows’ Sons Motorcycle Club!
It was incredibly heartwarming to see the new bikes going to children who may not have a bike of their own or to a child with special needs.
Submitted by Brother Jim Giese
