Motorcycle club helps bring Christmas to needy

Jeff Broddle | Cadillac News Members of the Iron Wheels Motorcycle Club pitch in to help make Christmas brighter for local children by buying and wrapping gifts. Pictured are (back row) ÒArmpit;Ó Jeremy Kelley, one of the recipients; Merf; ÒEZ;Ó Judy King; ÒRedneck;Ó and ÒJax.Ó In front are Deputy Juvenile Officer Jennifer Sackett and Shelly Wilkerson.

CADILLAC - For five years, Santa has had help from a few friends in the Cadillac area.

These friends are not usually associated with Santa but during December they trade in their motorcycle helmets for the hats of elves.

For the fifth year, the Iron Wheels Santa's Helping Hands has provided gifts to children in need that are placed in foster care in the Wexford County area. Vice President of the motorcycle club Jason “Merf” Wilkerson said the children are specifically selected by the Family Court of Wexford County under the supervision of Judge Kenneth L. Tacoma.

“We got started in Owosso with the southern chapter of the club 17 years ago. We opened another chapter of our motorcycle club up here and started it five years ago. It gets bigger every year,” Merf said. “We had 20 kids and we got them everything they wanted. We gave them a wish list of what they wanted and what they needed. We got every one back we sent out.”

Normally, Merf said the 10 club members try to mix the gifts they give by giving the children a little of what they need like clothing and what they want, like toys.

The collection of funds started in October when the club distributed donation cans to various businesses in the community. Likewise, Merf said the club also collected donations from various businesses in town as well as from club members.

We mix it up, try to give them what they need and want but we were able to get them everything. We have one gentleman who is 15 years old and he got his varsity letter for football and we got him a varsity coat,” Merf said. “The football helped him with the drive and motivation and grades.”

For more information about the club, call Merf at 779-5235.

rcharmoli@cadillacnews.com | 775-NEWS (6397)