Punishers Law Enforcement club bike run to benefit Forward Township VFD

By CHRISTINE HAINES
chaines@yourmvi.com

The Punishers Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club Fort Pitt Chapter is hosting its first motorcycle run this Saturday to raise funds for the Forward Township Volunteer Fire Department.
The public is invited to participate in the 104-mile police-escorted event that will go from the Forward Township fire hall through the Laurel Highlands to Ohiopyle, looping back through Connellsville and ending with an evening of food, raffles and music at the fire hall.
“Every year we raise money to donate to women’s shelters, Children’s Hospital, individuals who’ve been flooded out, anyone in need,” said Elizabeth Borough Officer and chapter President Dan Verno.
This year the motorcycle club chapter is offering its assistance to the Forward Township Volunteer Fire Department.
“We have three members from the fire department. This year, with COVID, fundraising is down and they could use some support. We’re going to see how this bike run works out.”
Verno said police officers from North Versailles and McKeesport will be escorting the motorcyclists on the 104-mile trek. In addition to members of the public, the ride will include Punishers club members from Maryland, New York and Ohio, Verno said.
Verno said the club is in its fifth year and was the first chapter in the state when it was founded July 5, 2016. There are now five chapters in the state, most of them in eastern Pennsylvania.
“It’s an international organization, with a focus on philanthropy. Verno said the local chapter is small, but does what it can to help local children.
“We’ve donated to the Bag Brigade in Rostraver. We’ve even gone a couple of times and helped fill the bags to give to the kids. We’ve done Trunk or Treat in Forward and Washington townships. We don’t just give candy bars out, we give out Halloween buckets,” Verno said.
Verno said the chapter isn’t very big, though it has doubled in size since it was founded five years ago.
“Our chapter has 10 members right now. We’re open to all first responders and military. There’s a six month probation period when you get in. If you participate and are involved with the chapter, you’re ‘patched’ in,” Verno said.
Verno said family and work come before club activities in keeping with the values the club expects of its members to possess the highest moral and ethical values, uncompromised integrity, trust and dedication.
Verno said the chapter is hoping the bike run will attract some attention to the goals of the club, attracting new members as well as spreading awareness of the assistance the club can provide to those in need.
Registration for Saturday’s bike run starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Forward Township Volunteer Fire Department, 9019 Roberts Hollow Road, Elizabeth, PA 15037. Registration is $20 per rider and $10 per passenger, which includes food and entertainment. There will be coffee and donuts at the fire hall during registration, with the ride leaving the fire hall at 11 a.m.
Verno said the motorcycles should be back at the fire hall by 3 p.m. where music will be provided by a DJ and food including chicken, rigatoni, haluski, hot dogs and sauerkraut and desserts will be provided. Verno said there will also be a 50/50 raffle, basket raffles and other events at the fire hall.