Before we talk about the ride I’d like to talk about our ‘Gold Coast Beemers’ club, what we do, and what it means to you. At our ‘Holiday Soiree’ Skip Commegere said something to the effect that “What started out as a riding club has turned into a fantastic group of friends”. I totally agree, and in fact, Skip may have understated it. We are more like family. The warmth, friendship and comradery we all share is amazing. Part of being a family is having each other’s backs. We do it on the road and we do it in everyday life.

Most of you know Dave Shonk. From the minute Dave came into our lives he’s been a great friend, an energetic member of the club who has volunteered for every event. What you may not know is that Dave’s teenage daughter Allison is a Senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and was present on that fateful day of February 14, 2018 when 17 students tragically lost their lives. Several other students were critically wounded and have just recently been released from the hospital to recover at home.

Naturally, this tragedy has affected Dave and his family deeply. Dave is an active participant in the ‘I Ride For Meadow’ fundraiser to erect a park as a memorial to the 17 students that were killed that fateful afternoon. The first ride was on March 31st. Dave, along with Nestor Perea & Prior Powers, were the only three active Gold Coast Beemers to show up. As a board we failed to notify the club about the event. As a family we missed an opportunity to support one of our own.

We’ll get a chance to make up for that on Sunday, 27 May 2018. There will be a second ‘I Ride For Meadow’ (details above). The ride’s not political. It has nothing to do with gun control, the second amendment or arming teachers. It’s a fundraising event to build a park to remember the loss of 17 young lives. We’ve discussed club participation in charitable events for worthy causes in the past. Here is our chance to help heal a wound that impacted our entire community and so deeply affected one of our member’s family.

Mary Lou and I will be there and I’m asking every one of you to join us to ride as a family for this worthy cause.

–Tom

WHAT:
I Ride For Meadow Memorial Day Weekend Ride (Sunday, 27 May 2018)
Details in the attached flyer above

GCB MEET UP LOCATION:
Walmart parking lot, corner of Powerline & Racetrack Road, Pompano Beach
(2300 W Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL 33069)

WHEN:
0930 hours (Meet up time)
1000 hours (KICKSTANDS UP! to ride over to event as a group)

REMINDER: Preregister at http://www.rideformeadow.com