Ride with ABATE for Children’s Village Sept. 19
DEVIN WEEKS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 3 months AGO
ABATE member Frank Emahiser, pictured here on his motorcycle, is one of many friendly bikers who will participate in the sixth annual Coeur d’Alene Children’s Village Toy Run on Sept. 19. ABATE members are collecting toys and funds to support the kids Children’s Village serves.
Courtesy photo
Duane Justus, Frank Emahiser and Valerie Nadalet are among the ABATE of North Idaho members planning a toy run to support Children's Village on Sept. 19. This is the sixth year for the event. Last year's ride brought in $1,500 for the child-centered nonprofit. (Courtesy photo)
Devin Weeks is a third-generation North Idaho resident. She holds an associate degree in journalism from North Idaho College and a bachelor's in communication arts from Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d'Alene. Devin embarked on her journalism career at the Coeur d'Alene Press in 2013. She worked weekends for several years, covering a wide variety of events and issues throughout Kootenai County. Devin now mainly covers K-12 education and the city of Post Falls. She enjoys delivering daily chuckles through the Ghastly Groaner and loves highlighting local people in the Fast Five segment that runs in CoeurVoice. Devin lives in Post Falls with her husband and their three eccentric and very needy cats. | August 21, 2020 1:00 AM
Toys, funds will help kids in crisis
Beneath the helmets, the leather and the seemingly tough exteriors, the bikers of ABATE of North Idaho have a soft spot for kiddos.
The biker guys and gals of ABATE — A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments — are planning to hop on their bikes Sept. 19 for the sixth annual Coeur d'Alene Children's Village Toy Run. It’s an event to raise funds and awareness for the children-centered nonprofit while collecting toys and celebrating camaraderie among members and the community at large.
"When people think about bikers, it's not always a positive image," ABATE member Frank Emahiser said Thursday. "It's nice to put out there we have a heart, like everybody else."
The Kootenai chapter of about 75 members is collecting toys for babies to teens; girls up to age 18 and boys to age 14.
"It can be anything, whatever moves you," Emahiser said.
They don't have to be expensive, either. These toys will be gifted to Children's Village's kids during birthdays and holidays. Those who are housed at Children's Village are experiencing abuse, neglect or other crises, and Emahiser said the goal is to make life a little more tolerable for them as they go through those hard times.
“You can never underestimate the impact you have on an individual,” Emahiser said. “They’re in a really tough place. Just to see a spark of humanity in them, it’s worth that effort.”
Last year's event brought in a good haul of toys and about $1,500. Normally, the riders will make a stop at Children's Village and enjoy some time with the residents, but because of COVID, they will be doing a parade and a "drive-by waving" before the run.
“We’ll usually park the bikes and the kids will get to beep the horns and start them up,” said Duane Justus, who serves as the ABATE state organizer for the Kootenai, Hoodoo and Hell's Canyon chapters.
"To help the kids and see the smiles on theirs face, that makes it all worthwhile," he said.
ABATE members are inviting those who want to participate in the toy run to be at Lawrence's Motorcycles, 1704 Government Way, Coeur d'Alene, for sign up at 9 a.m. Sept. 19. The ride will depart at 10 a.m., head to Children's Village, then go north to Klondyke Café and Tavern in Sandpoint. The ride will then go to Cruiser's in Post Falls for a barbecue buffet. A portion of the proceeds from the barbecue will go to Children's Village.
Collection barrels for toys will be put out this week. Cash and merchandise can be dropped off at: Indian/AllSports, Lone Wolf, Mike's Powersports, Post Falls Powersports, Coeur d'Alene Powersports, M6 Cycles, Curley's and Cruisers.
ABATE is a nonprofit motorcycle rights organization of volunteers who work to promote motorcycle education and safety.
Info: www.abateofnorthidahobikers.org
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