Written by Paul Hall —
COARSEGOLD — The Sierra Shadow Casters, MC (SSCMC) in association with Gma’s & Pappa’s Motorcycle Apparel located in the Coarsegold Historic Village, are hosting the Sierra Moonshine Motorcycle Poker Run and “Next Firefighter Up” fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 17, to benefit Madera County Volunteer Fire Departments.
The two beneficiaries are Station 8 of Coarsegold on Road 417, and Station 10 in Yosemite Lakes Park (YLP).
People don’t generally think about our Volunteer Fire Stations until they need them. Gus Lavell, Company Captain at YLP Station 10, told the SSCMC that his station responded to some 300 calls in 2015 for everything from structure and vegetation fires to medical calls and auto accidents.
Capt. Lavell oversees 18 volunteers who all work a 9 to 5 “day job,” and remain on call all year. Coarsegold’s Station 8 has about six volunteers.
Both companies are in constant need of new equipment or safety gear which is not always funded by the County. This is the reason fundraisers such as these are so important.
“The average year consists of five fundraisers for Station 10,” says Lavell, “typically raising around $10,000.”
While this seems like a lot of money it can go fast given the high cost of equipment. Monies are also used for firehouse maintenance.
Volunteer firefighters assist full-time Cal Fire and Madera County firefighters by staffing units at major incidents and covering fire stations when full-time firefighters are assigned elsewhere. They respond to fire and EMS calls on an on-call basis, participate in fire and EMS related drills year round and have an active role in the Madera County Fire Department’s public education program.
Volunteer firefighters give back to our community by protecting our neighbors and helping to educate fellow community members about fire and medical safety.
The Sierra Moonshine Motorcycle Poker Run will begin at the Historic Coarsegold Village at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17. Motorcyclists from the foothills and San Joaquin Valley will gather to ride a predetermined route with five stops to draw a playing card. At the end of the run the person with the highest poker hand (and worst) will win a cash prize.
The ride will end at the Coarsegold Village where riders will be treated to a delicious Tri-Tip BBQ lunch prepared by the volunteer firefighters and enjoy the music of “L- Train,” the celebrated Fresno classic rock band.
There will be a 50/50 drawing and silent auction featuring many valuable items including an autographed basketball from Stephen Curry, and a team-autographed 1999 Giants baseball including Barry Bonds. There will also be a special raffle for a propane meat smoker, a BBQ grill, 48-inch TV, hand-made Harley quilt, a beautiful ladies’ necklace ($600.00 value) and a $100 Gift certificate from Spencers Firearms.
While the morning Poker Run is geared for motorcyclists, the non-riding general public is cordially invited to come have lunch and participate in the afternoon events at 1 p.m. A $15 donation per person will be requested, children five and under are free. Station 10 will have a fire engine on hand for the kids to check out. Clawson Honda and Silva Ford will be there to show off some of their hottest vehicles, as well as many other exhibits.
For Bikers, there is a donation of $25 for the rider and $15 for the passenger. Riders can pre-register on line at www.sierrashadowcasters.com or day of event at 8 a.m. The Ride starts at 9:30 a.m.
For additional info, contact Paul at 559-660-6440.
