Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/738714
22 nNovember 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS SACRAMENTO, CALIF., OCT. 1—Webster's defi nes philanthropy as the inclination or effort to improve the well-being of humankind through charitable aid. Another defi nition could be the Black Widows MC for their tireless efforts to help the UC Davis children's hospital in Sacramento, California. Club President Jamey Ray and his crew have accepted the task of giving to those less fortunate than themselves. Their main mission is to raise money for the hospital, and Jamey chal- lenges himself to best the prior year's total every time. It has become a full-time job in addition to his regular full-time job. Procuring new sponsors, organiz- ing events, and getting donations is how the BWMC spend their time. It's time well spent, as this year's tally is at $22,000 and still counting. The funds are used to fulfi ll a wish list the hospital provides as to types of equip- ment they need. Starting at VFW post #67, there were 378 riders signed up and draw- ing their fi rst card for the poker run through the Delta. Breakfast was available, there was coffee offered for a small donation, and the bar was open if you needed to ward off the morning chill. Riders were getting fueled-up while they were catching up with friend on the latest upgrades to their bikes. The parking lot was fi lling up fast with all makes and models of motorcycles. I even saw a couple of old school home-built trikes. With sign-ups going from 8:00 a.m–10:30 a.m. there was no need to hurry. The atmosphere was laid back and mellow. The children's hospital is only a half of a mile from post #67, and is the main focus of the Black Widows. Along with the Shriners, they bring hope and care to families in our area as well as all over the globe. A little research on Wikipedia revealed that the 631-bed hospital is Northern California's only level one trauma center. It is a referral center for a 65,000 square mile area that encom- passes 33 counties. They have an extensive staff that specializes in, and advises on, over 150 health issues. Today it serves as our second card stop, and is where grateful hospital staff come face to face with their benefactors. Associate Director of Development Melissa Wood was out front of the hospital watching the bikes pull in and welcoming all those aboard. Black Widow member Jeff Johnson was on hand to present a custom Shriner's belt buckle to Bob Taylor, who became a Shriner in 1969 after serving his country in Vietnam. He is also a vintage car buff and a collector of military vehi- cles. I learned that there are three steps to becoming a Shriner: fi rst is Mason, after that Scottish Rite, then onto Shriner. From the hospital's metropoli- tan surroundings we make our way southwest to Freeport Bar and Grill that sits at the entrance to the Delta. From here we ride on top of the levee, winding our way along the river. A visit to the bar's website tells an interesting story about the town's name. In 1862 the Freeport Railroad company, wanting to avoid the tax and tariff of taking goods to Sacramento, decided to open a "free port" to unload their cargo. The contrast of scenery from downtown Sacramento to the Delta is dramatic, and takes place in just a few miles. Minutes from high-rise buildings, lattes, and mass transit, you fi nd yourself in the wide-open expanse of fertile farmland divided by the river. Its banks are dotted with small community towns that sprang up in the 1800s to serve as ports, or fi sheries. Along with industry came the workers, so small bars and eater- ies were built, or opened in existing buildings, and a lot of those are still doing that to this day. The laid-back vibe that started at sign-in the morning set the perfect mood for bending the slow, wide turns along the levee. Mother nature had smiled and given us the type of weather that California is famous for. All bikers dream of days like this. Our group of nearly 400 riders wasn't the only ones to take advantage of the day along the Delta. The river was busy with people in their boats fi shing, or just enjoying the water. We shared the road with a bicycle mara- thon, and at one of the ferry crossings there was a pack of Whizzer riders going the other way. The host of our fourth card draw was Tony's Place in Walnut Grove where they have been serving thirsty and hungry visitors to the waterway for decades. Continuing south on Highway 160 we would take two ferry crossings—the J-Mack, and 20TH ANNUAL BLACK WIDOW'S RUN Biker philanthropy Rollin' on the river See "Black Widow's," page 26, column 1 Second card draw at the hospital Motorcycle riders enjoy a ferry ride across the river