When most of us think of making charitable contributions, we think of the amount of money we are going to give to our favorite organizations or charities. GWRRA Chapters are no different than individuals in this regard. For years, Richmond's Chapter VAD has raised thousands of dollars annually which has been turned over at an appropriate ceremony to local charities.

Several of our participants stated, "It seems like all we do is try to raise money for charity." And, while giving money to charity is a worthy thing to do, these people felt maybe we could accomplish more, and have more fun doing it, if we got personally involved with individual organizations. The Chapter staff discussed this at a monthly staff meeting, and decided we would give it a try.

Staff members were asked to locate local charities whose clients would really benefit from our personal involvement and who may not receive support from other sources, either national, state or local. We also decided to look for lower profile organizations that did not typically receive a lot of local media attention. As you can imagine, there were numerous suggestions, a lot of which were charities that are household names. Our Activities & Special Events Coordinator, Marie Crow, was tasked with screening the suggestions and contacting the organizations to determine if they met the criteria which we had established and if they were interested in our participation. After a few months, Marie had narrowed her list down, and the Chapter decided to put our plan into action.

The first organization, the Lucy Corr Nursing Home, is a local residential care facility. Marie, in discussion with the staff at the home, determined that the 60+ residents, who are mostly elderly and confined to wheelchairs, would really enjoy an old-fashioned ice cream social. We contacted several local distributors about donating some of their products, and the Eskimo Pie Company was more than happy to supply ice cream for this worthwhile event. A date was set and we were told that the residents were really looking forward to seeing us and our motorcycles. Our Wingers were encouraged to bring their little Wingers along because we knew that older people confined to a facility really enjoy seeing the young ones.

The day of the event dawned overcast and rainy. It didn't look good, but we were determined not to let the residents at Lucy Corr down. We were worried though, that we might not have a good turnout due to the weather. We shouldn't have worried. More than 30 participants from Chapters VAD and VAW (and the local Brotherhood of Christian Motorcyclists), showed up. Many participants brought their children and grandchildren. What a group! By the time we got to the home, the weather had cleared and it turned out to be a perfect day.

We met first with the residents in their assembly room and had ice cream. We told them a little bit about GWRRA and our Chapter, and then had a question and answer period during which we were asked almost everything imaginable about our bikes and our travels. Following this, our participants mingled with the residents and got to know them. The children really were a big hit. Eventually, each participant linked up with one of the residents and we wheeled them outside to take a look at the bikes. They were really impressed with the Gold Wings, "Ooohing" and "Aaahing" at all the features and chrome on the them. A short riding demonstration was provided to show the residents how quiet the bikes were. All in all, it was a most gratifying day for our participants and we know that it brought a little joy into the lives of the residents.

Next, Marie made contact with the 140 years-old Virginia Home for Boys, in Richmond. It provides residential care for about 40 teenage boys who are not able to live at home for a variety reasons. Funds for the home come almost entirely from local contributions. Their staff said that they would be very pleased to have the Chapter visit to show off our bikes. Marie set up a picnic date, and once again, local businesses were contacted to provide the fixings for a hot dog cookout. This time Murry's Steaks, Utz's Potato Chips, and Price Club came through with the majority of our needs.

We invited the local Corvette Club to participate with us, and on the appointed Saturday in September, we gathered at the boys' home. Our staff had gathered posters, stickers and other material from the local Honda dealers along with NASCAR postcards for the boys. The hot dogs were cooked, and when everyone had their fill, our group, along with the Corvette Club, provided rides for the kids on the road around the grounds. Each boy had his favorite bike, but when the line for any bike became too long, they were not shy about taking a ride on a different Wing.

The boys all wanted us to show them how fast the bikes would go, but despite their urgings, our participants took extreme caution with the boys on board. This was a most enjoyable afternoon, and the boys seemed genuinely pleased our group was willing to take the time to come and be with them.

A personal contact with one of the residents of The Virginia Home led to the identification of another group of people who could really benefit from some individual attention. The Virginia Home, also in Richmond, is a residential care facility for the severely handicapped. Most of the residents have experienced some form of head injury, and are confined to wheelchairs as paraplegics and quadriplegics. Labor Day morning, following our participation in a local parade, we suggested that a ride to the Virginia Home might be a fitting end to back in the near future, and give them more a good day.

The Chapter decided to go to lunch first, at which point we would contact the Virginia Home to announce our visit. The staff at the home was most excited that we would come, and said that they would notify everyone that we would be there at 3 p.m.

A group of seven bikes arrived at the home and parked in the entrance drive at the appointed time. Almost immediately, we were deluged with residents asking all sorts of questions. Approximately 40 of the more than 100 residents made their way, or were brought to see us.

The red Wings were their favorite. Words cannot describe the feelings that this visit engendered. These men and women have perfect minds, but their bodies hinder their ability to function or express themselves like the rest of us. The joy that they felt was expressed in the looks on their faces as we told them about the bikes, and the rides we have taken. For a short period of time, they were able to travel the highways with us as we told our tales.

The visit went all too quickly, but we promised the residents that we would come warning the next time. If only there were some way that we could let them really experience the joys that we take for granted when we climb on our Gold Wings!

Our experience with these three organizations has educated us that there are many groups of people in today's society who lack the personal attention we take for granted on a daily basis. While raising funds for charity is an admirable accomplishment, we feel devoting time to care and show our concern for our fellow man is much more gratifying. We believe thousands of dollars cannot buy the joy these men, women and children experience in the short visits we are able to have with them.

Most recently, our Chapter held a Christmas party for the residents at the Lucy Corr Nursing Home. VAD assembled gift bags for each of them following the guidelines issued by the home's staff. These bags contained small personal care items donated by local businesses. There was Santa Claus, live musical entertainment and refreshments but, most of all, there was love.