Kishwaukee Valley ABATE hosting pasta fundraiser

By Marianne Mueller

Reporter

The Kishwaukee Valley Chapter of ABATE-A Brotherhood Aimed toward Education is hosting a pasta dinner fundraiser on Feb. 17. Join ABATE at the VFW Post 9759 at 2018 Windsor Road in Loves Park for food, fun and entertainment will fill four hours of guaranteed fun! Doors open at 4 p.m. Food will be served from 4-8 p.m.

D.J. and fun with karaoke begin at 8 p.m. featuring tunes of D.J. Dave of the Dancing Outlaws.

Ticket prices are Adults: $10 at the door, children age 4-13- $7 at the door, children 3 and under enters for free. Any ABATE member can be contacted to sign up for the dinner. Call DJ Dave at 815-520-4643 with any questions.

The Kishwaukee Valley Chapter of Abate is a motorcycle organization with 258 members. “When you see the banners that read, “Start seeing motorcycles,” that is part of our safety and education program,” said John Tanner who serves on the Board of Directors. This is just one area that the Chapter gives back through fundraising.

Brandon Barton does the Chapter’s ‘Safety and Education. Barton explains how to properly share the road with motorcyclists and how to be road friendly. Barton goes into high schools to speak to driver’s education classes. Facts such as motorcycles are smaller than a car are shared.

ABATE fights for motorcycle rights, helmet laws, light laws, and anything that affects the rights of cyclists, ATV or dirt bike riders.

One of ABATE’s biggest concerns is cell phone use.

Expanding education the Kishwaukee Chapter had a booth at the Boone County Fair. “We talked to farmers to give them information on what to do with four wheelers, “said Tanner. “We wanted to pass along a story of a fight to use these on private property as they were not allowed. We fought and won.”

“In Harvard they adopted an ordinance that the police department was allowed to pull over anybody who is wearing a vest or a patch and to present them with a citation,” said Chapter President, “Wayne Tufly. “We have a Legislative guy downstate who says that this is this law is not supposed to be in effect anymore. Harvard is working on rewording the law to avoid it going into effect again.”

Every year the Kishwaukee Chapter gives back by donating to the Boone country food pantry at Christmastime and others throughout the year. They donate to Carpenters Place, and support Cables by doing a blood drive. The blood drive is done in honor of Mr. Godnzeis whose wife has kept his memory alive through this drive. Godnzies blood drive is known as one of the longest running.

All ABATE Kishwaukee Chapter and rider events are open to the public. A small donation is asked for at each event.

Read the rest of this article in the Feb. 15 issue of the Journal.