By Joe Cuminale
Photo credit – Joe Cuminale
I would like to introduce the readers of this fine publication to a group of Long Island Motorcycle Riders, known as Long Island ABATE (American Biker’s for Awareness, Training, Education). This group’s objective is to educate the non-riding community about awareness and safety through various programs in our public schools. The members also attend many of the street fairs and festivals around Long Island to help bring awareness to those that do not ride motorcycles. This organization is also a major advocate of helping our Veterans in many different ways.
They hold numerous events during the riding season such as a Motorcycle Awareness Ride to kick off Motorcycle Awareness Month in May and a Veterans’ Appreciation Ride around Flag Day in June which goes through Sag Harbor, with a flag line on the bridge dedicated to Sag Harbor resident and fallen in the line of duty Marine Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Haerter.
At these events, as well as at their monthly meetings, they have a Veterans’ Container at their table or booth for any donations people choose to give. All of these donations get matched two, three, and sometimes four times over. Around Veteran’s Day each year the group holds a Veteran’s Appreciation Dinner. After this event the funds gathered during the riding season are distributed in checks for the many different Long Island Veterans Organizations that help our Veterans right here on Long Island. All funds are kept here on Long Island to keep food pantries, mental health programs, assistance dog training services, and many VFW/American Legion/Am-Vets posts from getting lost in the government funding shuffle.
Since 2009, L.I. ABATE has distributed over $1.3 million to enable these smaller groups from going under due to lack of funding. This year’s Appreciation Dinner was held at the Port Jefferson Elks Lodge #2138 in Centereach and was a great success, with a total of $110,000 distributed among forty-two different Veterans’ organizations. Before the ceremony, those in attendance were treated to a beautiful rendition of our country’s National Anthem, performed by the lovely and talented Lyza Paradise. Thank you, young lady, for sharing your talent with us, and thank you to the Elks Lodge for hosting this year’s dinner, for the delicious food, awesome desserts, their hospitality and use of their Lodge. Thank you to L.I. ABATE President Chris Beckhans and the entire board for all the planning that not only went into this event, but all the events this amazing organization is involved with throughout the year.
Long Island ABATE is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) that promotes and protects the interests of Long Island Motorcyclists. For more information visit: longislandabate.org, or contact them at 1-888-LIABATE (542-2283) or membership@longislandabate.org.
Ride safe, ladies and gentlemen!
