|
CLUB NEWS ARCHIVE
San Antonio Firefighters Motorcycle Club News
JANUARY 2008
2008 is underway and the SAFFMC is gearing up for an exciting year. At our January meeting President Mario Guillen struck his gavel and the new officers took their seats and began planning upcoming opportunities to ride and enjoy the Texas bike routes, as well as get together and have a good time discussing ways we can serve our community. There are plans to ride out to the Kendall County Fairgrounds for the annual St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Rally where Monkey Joe and his trusty chow hands will set up his famous Chow Line and serve any and all who want a hot bowl of chili. The Massacre will be held on February 15-17th so look for photos in next month’s Grapevine.
Dues were collected and the 2008 coins were distributed to members. Our funds are healthy and there is still plenty of merchandise for sale; T-shirts, caps, etc. New designs for ladies shirts are in the works. The club is in search of a new Fundraising Chairperson since Mario has taken the position of President. Retired Chief Abel Hernandez is our newest member of the motorcycle club. Welcome, Abel. We look forward to your shiny bike joining the rest of us on our next ride.
We’ll keep you posted on events as they take shape. In the meantime keep your eyes on the road and be aware of the bikers around you.
DECEMBER 2007
As we look back at the past twelve months, the San Antonio Firefighters Motorcycle Club is both proud and humbled at their accomplishments in 2007. Our Burn Camp BBQ Fundraiser was successful beyond our wildest expectations, and the ride to the Burn Camp in August was most rewarding. Some of our rides were long, some were not long enough, but all in all we’ve had a lot of fun and worked really hard. We’ve served lots of BBQ and put lots of miles on our bikes. We’ve given out many T-shirts, tons of hugs and a few Broken Wing patches. We can certainly look back and say, “Wow, 2007, what a ride!”
This past month has been bittersweet for our club. At our October 10th meeting we learned that member Chris Martinez’ wife, Marti, was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer. In two short weeks the members put together a BBQ fundraiser and were able to raise thousands of dollars to assist the Martinez family. October 28th at the Frio Saloon is a day we won’t soon forget…the endless chicken and sausage on the grill, the crowds of people, the rows and rows of bikes parked along the streets, the club members, friends and families…they all came together to prove to our community that when one of our brothers is in need we will be there for him. On November 9th Marti Martinez went home to be with her Lord. Again, the crowds of people and rows of bikes displayed a show of love and respect for Chris and his family. At the November club meeting, just one day after Marti’s burial, Chris was in attendance and expressed his sincerest thanks and appreciation for all of our help.
The SAFFMC looks forward to 2008 with anticipation, knowing it will be a successful and exciting year. New officers have been elected, but the old ones will still be around. Beginning in January the officers are as follows: President, Mario Guillen; Vice President, J.D. Rios; Secretary, Georgina Yoast; Treasurer, Ray Lopez; Road Captains, Art Guzman, Joel Berlanga, Greg Hernandez and Tommy Martinez.
Looking back at an incredible year, and forward to an even better one.
Miki Collins
Secretary 2002-2007
San Antonio Firefighters Motorcycle Club
3-14-07 CLUB MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
The motorcycle club is gearing up and working hard in preparation for our Annual Fundraiser, a BBQ Brisket plate sale scheduled for June 23rd, 2007. Fundraising Chairman Mario Guillen held a committee meeting at his home on February 24th where some heavy-duty brainstorming took place. The excitement and successful planning of our upcoming event is growing as June approaches.
Our monthly meeting was held on March 14th at the VFW Hall on 10th Street, kicking off with a fajita dinner provided by the Texas Burn Survivors Society and Tomatillos Restaurant. Elysia Petru of the TBSS wanted to express their gratitude and appreciation for all the hard work and effort we have demonstrated in supporting the Burn Camp each summer. It was reported by Treasurer Ray Lopez that our funds our healthy, and Merchandise Chairman Rick Garcia reported likewise on our stock of shirts, caps and sunglasses. New rockers and patches have been ordered and will be in by the end of March. At the meeting new members Ian Flores and Jeff Partida were welcomed after completing their mandatory events. We are looking forward to putting these new members to work on the fundraiser, as well as spending some great times on the road with them. Our March club ride is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 24th. Mario Guillen and Greg Hernandez will be leading riders to Gonzalez, Lockhart and then on to the bike show being held in San Antonio. J.D. Rios and Jim Naegelin will lead the April club ride.
A drawing was held at the end of the meeting and Gabriel DeLaO won a silver spur necklace, designed and donated by Bob Scott. New member Ian Flores won a set of firefighter car coasters, donated by Miki Collins and Tommy Martinez won a Fire Truck Easter Basket, donated by Donut Dolly.
The club is also planning a fundraiser this fall with the San Antonio Gun Club. It will be an opportunity for us to participate in a new and exciting way to raise money for the Burn Camp. Look for more details as this Fundraising Shoot comes together.
Great riding weather is finally here. Be safe.
2-14-07 CLUB MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Our February meeting was held on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14th, at Leon’s Ice House.
A date for our BBQ Brisket Fundraiser has been set. It will be held on June 23rd, 2007, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Leon’s Ice House. Committees have been formed and committee members are beginning to get things rolling. Donations of food, prizes and cash are being solicited from local businesses, flyers and tickets are being printed, entertainment is being planned, delivery teams are being formed, and the club is really getting motivated to make this Fundraiser a huge success. Our goal is to surpass the $6000 donation we made to the Children’s Burn Camp in 2006.
It was decided that our monthly club rides would be held on the last Saturday of each month. Mario Guillen and Kerry Yoast are planning a ride for the end of March and J.D. Rios and Jim Naegelin will plan a club ride for April. Routes and departure locations will be planned and announced to members by email.
The club is planning a ride to the Sturgis rally this August, with a stop at Yellowstone National Park either before or after the Sturgis event. There is an informal ride to the Appalachian Mountains in Tennessee being planned, and the International Motorcycle Group is planning a ride to Colorado for the Firefighters Memorial in September, and their route will take them to Sturgis first, then on to Colorado Springs in time for the memorial ceremonies. More details on these planned rides will be announced as the summer approaches.
JD Rios is exploring the possibility of our club participating in a fundraiser at the National Gun Club. We will be investigating the details and our club’s involvement and present more details in the next couple of weeks. This event would have the potential to raise quite a bit of money for our charity, the Burn Camp, and all we’d have to do is show up and provide some manpower at the shoot.
A drawing was held at the end of the meeting and Joel Berlanga won a box of Valentine Chocolates, donated by Miki Collins, and Bob Scott won a 9-11 handmade quilt, which was donated by Donut Dolly.
Our next club meeting will be held at The VFW Hall on 10th street, on March 14th(B shift EMS, C shift FIRE) beginning at 6:30 PM.
December 2006
BLUE KNIGHTS TOY RIDE TO MRDC
On December 16th several of our club members rode to the Mission Road Developmental Center to deliver toys to the children. This yearly ride is one of the highlights of the Christmas season for our club, and we participated in a procession of over 200 motorcycles, several classic cars and a fire truck with Elvis and Sponge Bob on board. It was an exciting time for the kids, and the hundreds of riders in attendance always enjoy seeing the gifts being received with open arms. Our own Red Santa, Doug Berry, arrived on his bike while PD's Blue Santa arrived by helicopter. After the toys were delivered the Blue Knights served Bar B Q sausage at Leon's. It was a very successful and well attended ride and we look forward to next year's event.
SAFFMC 2006 CHRISTMAS PARTY
On Wednesday, Dec. 20th the club held their annual Christmas party at the Frio Saloon. There was lots of food and cold beer, music and dancing. The club raised over $100 with the raffling of a padded riding jacket, which was won by Stormin Norman Collins. Thank you, Frio Saloon, for hosting our Christmas party this year. The San Antonio Firefighters Motorcycle Club has had quite a successful year in 2006 and they look forward to an even greater year of success and comaradarie in '07.
NOVEMBER 2006
23 Motorcycle Club Members rode out to Koyote Ranch on November 11th and spent an afternoon and evening around the campfire, laughing, storytelling, tossing a football, playing Texas Hold 'Em, and some folks even got a good night's sleep in the heated hill country cabins. On Sunday morning a few others arrived and joined us as Larry Davis led the leather-clad riders through Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Luchenbach, Blanco and back home to San Antonio. Check out the photos
On Wednesday, December 20th, we will be holding our monthly club meeting at the Frio Saloon. The meeting will be brief so we can celebrate our annual Christmas party immediately afterwards. More details on the event will be posted soon, but be sure to mark your calendars for the third Wednesday in December. We always have a great time when we come together with good food and cold beer. You won't want to miss it.
As the year 2006 comes to a close we have much to look back on and be thankful for. We had our most successful fundraiser ever and were able to present the Children's Burn Camp with a $6000 check. The club took several rides and trips together, including Las Vegas, a couple of IAFF rides, Big Bend and South Padre Island, just to name a few. Norm Collins voted yes on a motion this year. We accepted several new members, firefighters and prospects alike, and we hope for an even more successful year in 2007. Dues will be collected in January and the '07 coins should be in at that time. Preparations are already being made for our fundraiser this summer. If our club can continue the great comaradarie, dedication and teamwork we've experienced in the past then we can only achieve greater things in the coming year.
AUGUST 2006
The SAFFMC held their monthly meeting on August 9th at the VFW Hall on Tenth Street. President JD Rios opened the meeting with thanks to all who helped with our annual fundraiser fish/fry. The minutes from the last meeting were approved and we moved on to old business. The main topic of discussion was the fundraiser and subsequent ride to the burn camp. Mario Guillen had been the main organizer of this event and reported that mostly things went pretty well for our first time handling an event of this size. We were able to send $6,000.00 to the burn camp this year and hope to increase this donation amount next year.
Rey Lopez, treasurer, gave a report on the state of our finances, and announced we had paid all outstanding bills and had a solid base in our bank account for future club activities.
President Rios also brought up the South Padre Island Motorcycle Rally, which will be held in October and has made arrangements to attend along with other club members.
Brian Ward won a leather face and neck protector donated by fellow club member David Soto, and Anthony De La O won a silver cross pendant created and donated by Bob Scott. Congratulations to the winners and a big thanks to the donors for this months’ door prizes.
We had several new prospective members introduced to the club this month for membership. Art & Terry Rodriguez, Rick Brown, John Scott. Speaking for the entire club, welcome and hope to ride many trouble free and safe miles with all of you.
There was more discussion on the fundraiser and several points were brought up:
We would like to thank all that helped out, especially Boyd Spears, who helped get us going and also donated some of the fish to this event.
The on duty firefighters, C shift, who bought plates from us and patiently waited for us to get our act together.
Fire Chief Robert Ojeda and the rest of the administrative staff (450, and the District Chiefs), who when approached, gave their full support for this worthy cause.
Special merit goes to Mario Guillen, who lead the fundraising operation this year and helped make it such a success. Also non firefighter club members Big Larry and Little Larry Colson, Frank Gurerrero, and all who assisted as “cooks” and helpers at the event.
To all our brothers out there Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, for your support of this worthy cause and for being patient and understanding with our sometimes fumbling efforts on this our first but not last time fundraising event. We will be back next year, and from lessons learned 100 times better and more efficient to serve you.
We also talked of giving a small token of appreciation to all that donated prizes to this year’s event. It was decided to give donors a framed group picture we took at the burn camp this year, as a reminder to these generous businesses of the good works their donations helped us accomplish.
On August 3rd, about 20 members of our club rode out Deer Creek Camp in Medina, TX, to visit with the children and staff of this years burn camp.
We also presented a check for $6,000.00 to the staff of the Texas Burn Survivors Society as a result of our fundraising efforts. All club members had a great time and are looking forward to attending next year’s event.
We had a club ride on Aug. 12th and about 25 members participated. We rode in a benefit to improve the La Vernia city park children’s facilities.
Next month’s club meeting will be held on September 13th. (A shift fire, D shift ems) at the VFW hall on tenth street at 6:30 PM. See you there!!!
The monthly San Antonio Firefighters Motorcycle Club meeting was held on January 11, 2006 at the VFW hall on 10th street. President J.D. Rios opened the meeting and had reports from Treasurer Ray Lopez, Rick Garcia on merchandise, and Jeff Mata for the Las Vegas trip.
Ray Lopez had a very good financial report and stated the upcoming year was starting on a solid foundation. All outstanding bills have been paid and after dues for 06 are collected, we will have a sizeable balance in the account for the upcoming year.
Rick Garcia stated we have plenty of merchandise on hand including club shirts, in sizes from children’s to XXL, caps, and sunglasses. If you want to purchase any of these items, they are being stored at 16’s, as there are no items currently available at the Union Hall.
Jeff Mata had delayed ordering the club coins as there were some unanswered questions about the logo and style. These questions were resolved at this meeting and the order will be completed next month.
The Las Vegas trip was also discussed, with controversy about the date, some believing the ride would begin on April 26th and others planning to leave on April 29th. The official date of the ride will be April 29th to coincide with the firefighter’s softball tournament in Las Vegas the following week. There was much discussion about times and dates with some members wanting to leave on April 26th. This date would put club members in Vegas on Friday the 28th, and enable their wives to fly in on Friday for the weekend and fly home on Sunday to be at their jobs on Monday. The final word, so far, is that anyone can leave for Vegas anytime they want, but the official departure date is April 29th. For members who would prefer to leave on the 26th date, there will be some members leaving at that time, times and itineraries will be posted later for both dates.
Frank Guerrero, one of our non-firefighter members, reported on details of the Christmas party held last month. Retired firefighter Joe Kirstead donated briskets, the Blue Knights (sapd motorcycle club) donated sausage, and Larry Colson Jr. donated the place to hold the event. Both Larry Colson Jr. and Sr. barbecued the meat and with all the good side dishes brought by the members, including a big pot of menudo brought by Greg Hernandez everyone had a great time. A big saffmc thanks to all who donated items and their time to make this a successful event.
  
About 20 members of the saffmc participated in the annual Mission Road Ride put on by the sapd motorcycle club, the Blue Knights. The event was held on December 16th. Our own Doug Berry, with helpful elf/wife, Tish, represented us as the Red Santa at this event. All who rode in the parade are looking forward to participating next year’s event.
Upcoming events for the year were discussed. Our main fundraiser, the poker run, to raise money for the Texas Burn Survivors Camp, was mentioned and a committee made up of members Greg Hernandez, Mario Guillen, Art Guzman, Tom Bullock, and Larry Davis were tasked with planning the event.
New members Roy and Yvette Uriegas were introduced at this club meeting. Roy is a paramedic at 805. A big saffmc welcome aboard, as we look forward to logging many motorcycle road miles with you in the future.
The St. Valentines Day Massacre is coming up February 17th, 18th, and 19th. Monkey Joe will be setting up a tent/meeting place and will have a community soup pot for everyone. By the way, Monkey Joe and Lost Bison are will known for their cooking at the massacre and representing the saffmc at many events. Monkey Joe says it’s a massacre tradition that anyone can donate whatever they want, but he will not accept money from the club to pay for the meals. These guys are a class act, go out and spend some time with them!!!
There was a drawing held and stormin’ Norm Collins won an embroidered 9-11 patch donated by Jeff Mata and Gilbert Morales won a custom designed orange and black sign with our club logo and the words “Parking for San Antonio Firefighters Motorcycle Club—Tow Away Zone”
Donated by member David Reyes. Additional signs can be purchased from David for $35.
The next club meeting will be held on February 8th. At the VFW hall on tenth street at 6:30 pm. C shift for both fire and ems.
As the deadline for the grapevine article is before our next scheduled meeting, I will have to double up to catch up on some of this month’s news in January.
Five members of the club braved the somewhat chilly weather and rode to Big Bend National Park this last month (Nov. 18th thru 21st). Jim and Pat Naeglein, Kerry and Georgina Yoast, David Soto, and Chris Sutherland all had a great time as the clear weather and spectacular scenery keep their attention throughout the trip. Fort Stockton, Big Bend Park, Terlingua, Marfa, Fort Davis, McDonald Observatory, and Balmorhea State Park were the destinations enjoyed on this trip (approx. 1100 miles in all). Hooooo-rah we had a good time and mark your calendars for mid October as we are going out there again next year (maybe the weather will be a little warmer).
  
We will be having our annual Christmas party, December 17th, at Larry Colson’s place (6825 E. Hwy. 87). Larry and his “crew” always put on a great feast with Bar B Q and all the trimmings for the club each year. If you didn’t get the word, members are also asked to bring a side dish. Festivities will begin about 3 p.m. and Jim Naegelin has a ride planned (weather permitting) for earlier that day. Hope to see you there.
On Saturday, December 10, our club braved the cold weather and participated with several other bikers and classic car enthusiasts to deliver toys to the children at the Mission Road Rehabilitation Center. The SAPD’s Blue Knights sponsor this ride each Christmas, and every year the ride is a great success. As about one hundred motorcycles and classic cars paraded onto the grounds of the Center, our Red Santa, Doug Berry and his favorite Elf Tish, were greeted with excited cheers and waves from the kids. In addition, about 20 members of the San Antonio Firefighters motorcycle club rode in the event. Shortly after that Blue Santa arrived on a Harley and carols were sung and gifts distributed. Everyone had a good time, and as always, it did our hearts good to help bring a little cheer to the children at the Center. After the event everyone headed down to Leon’s IceHouse and were fed lunch by the Blue Knights. Another successful Mission Road ride was accomplished and we look forward to next year.
 
Elf Louise should be contacting us soon for help in delivering toys to the needy this month. Everyone who participated last year in this event said they were definitely going to assist again this year, as the experiences of giving and the look of joy on the faces of the children fall under the “No amount of money can buy a gift like this!!!” category.
The members of the safd motorcycle club would like to wish all our firefighter brothers, sisters, and their families a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. If you own a bike and would like to ride, come to one of the meetings and check us out, the upcoming year for the club promises to be even better than the last!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
