As you know, motorcycle riders have always had two conflicting, driving emotions. The first is freedom- that rush we get when riding down a great road, free from the constraints of the day.
The second emotion is the pleasure we get when we are riding with friends, people that we have spent time with and with whom we have developed a close bond - on and off the road. To those people who haven't experienced them, these feelings seem to be in conflict. The truth is, we all ride alone but it's great to stop after a few hours, have a cup of coffee and talk to someone who is riding in the same direction.
To help us recognize the good guys on the road and to increase our chances of meeting new people and having even more fun than we do now, a new association has been created. It's one that revolves around the spirit of motorcycle riders and has been handed down to us by the riders from the past: Pony Express riders to World War II Mustang pilots have all had their hand in creating the "thrill of the ride". Our group has been formed to "make a contribution and enjoy the ride" - working together to raise funds for Yonge Street Mission.
This new - and loose - association is called "Los Silverados" When you see the arm patch or back crest or notice the 100 year lapel pin, you will know that you've just seen a fellow rider whose love of freedom, brotherhood and motorcycles is the same as yours. Like you, that rider is part of the Legend of Los Silverados. Like you, that rider has come forward to help a great and needy cause.
Here's the pitch - for a minimum of $100. you get:
- a great crest of the original Silverado for the back of a jacket or vest
- a framed, numbered and personalized original of the Legend of Los Silverados, professionally mounted with a 100 year pin from the Yonge Street Mission and a shoulder patch of the original Silverado (a beautiful mahogany frame is available at extra cost) - this is a showpiece which reflects
Wait, There's even more! From time to time, you will receive a newsletter written by us - you and me. It will contain articles sent in by associates about what we like most - bikes, roads, restaurants, journeys, new stuff and new ways. Maybe some old stuff and maybe some "how to" stuff.
Now for the best part: Proceeds from your purchase are ear-marked to help the Yonge Street Mission and you will receive a tax receipt for your charitable donation.
- The Yonge Street Mission is 100 years old and is as necessary today as it was when it was passing out sandwiches during the depression
- The people who dedicate their time and skill to the Mission are the ones who help get the "Street Kids" off the street
- These are the people who assist battered wives and teach computer skills to inner city children
- They prepared over 58000 hot meals for street people in 2002
- They hold the hands of street kids when they have been beaten and raped, which by the way is a better than 90% occurrence if a child has been on the street for 6-12 months
- The Mission sells a shower for 25 cents and supplies clean and dry socks for free - if the kids don't have a quarter - someone will give them one
- The Mission runs a day care center for working mothers
You should know as well that street kids come from all over Canada and the US - they don't start out washing car windows on Yonge Street. 80% of the children found on the street have been abused at home - that's why they ran away in the first place.
The objective of the Mission is to break the poverty cycle any way it can. The people who do this work are modern day heroes who are helping desperately poor people. Their work is not at a desk, they don't wear suits and ties and they don't make very much money. Their work is so consuming and soul destroying that they need a faith solidly grounded in God to continue their work. As a member of Los Silverados you're helping them do their job just by joining.
Hey brother, can you spare a hundred bucks - or more?
