Chopper For Raffle To Help Kids – Morton Grove News
November 24, 2010
About 15 Golf Middle School special education students recently got to see something cool.
The students gathered outside the school Nov. 15 to view a 2010 Stanley Cup Champions Chicago Blackhawks Chopper.
According to a statement released by Golf School District 67 officials, the Blackhawks, in conjunction with the Special Kids Network and Orange County Choppers Foundation, will raffle off the custom built bike, which is autographed by the entire team. Raffle proceeds will benefit three organizations; Chicago Blackhawk Charities, the Orange County Choppers Foundation and Special Kids Network.
Golf Middle School special education teacher Bari Levin is also on the board of the Special Kids Network-a nonprofit organization.
"We fundraise money to give to programs for young children and young adults for special needs programs," she said. "We also try to do community awareness to allow special needs young adults and children to be part of the community."
Levin said the bike is "pretty sweet."
"It's been an exciting time for us with Special Kids Network," she said. "It's giving us some national recognition. We've been in existence for 11 years and it's all volunteer. It's just been exciting to be part of this organization and very honored to work with this group of people. To me it's been a humbling experience to be working with the group of people that I work with and what we do for special needs children and young adults."
Bob Perna from Aaron Equipment Company, a sponsor, said the bike is an Orange County Chopper custom bike. "It's been a lot of fun for me," he said. "I've been a life-long Blackhawk fan so it makes it even more fun. It's been a good time."
Michael Cohen, also from Aaron, said the company has an ongoing relationship with Orange County Choppers.
"Through our business with them, I was able to twist their arm to do this-build a bike for us," he said.
Cohen said he had to get agreement from Orange County Choppers, the Blackhawks and the National Hockey League.
"When everybody saw that it wasn't for business, it was for raising money-it was a slam dunk after that," he said. "Our involvement is just that we're from Chicago, we're big Hawk fans, we're big Orange County fans. The two married each other."
"It's all about the kids," Cohen said. "It's all about raising money for the Special Kids Network and the other charities that are involved. I think it's a symbol to make people aware that there are kids that are less fortunate and just another vehicle-pardon the pun-to raise money and make people aware and it's a fun way for people to get involved."
Seventh-grader and Blackhawks fan Brandon Mansueto said the bike is awesome while sixth-grader and Blackhawks fan Brook Enger said of the bike, "I think it's really cool."
The $100 raffle tickets will be sold until April. All proceeds from the raffle will be divided between the three charities. Raffle tickets can be purchased at Blackhawk games and through the website--blackhawks.nhl.com.