New motorcycle group aims to help area

FOLLANSBEE - Members of a new motorcycle group have seen the devastation experienced by a family or individual whose home has been destroyed or severely damaged by fire and want to help.

That's because the newly formed Red Knights West Virginia Chapter 6 is comprised of active and retired professional and volunteer firefighters and their spouses and family members who also want to help various civic causes.

The group recently presented $202 to the Brooke County Special Olympics program.

The money was raised through a 50-50 drawing held by the group, with the winner, Torri Edwards, donating $75 of his half.

The cause is one that's close to several members' hearts because of 12-year-old Matty Filippelli, a Brooke County Special Olympics athlete and the son of Carla and Brian Jacobs, a Hooverson Heights volunteer firefighter.

Bill Furioli, director of Brooke County Special Olympics, said the donation will defray training, travel and lodging expenses related to the athletes' participation in the upcoming West Virginia Special Olympics fall games.

Furioli said about 52 Brooke County athletes will compete in volleyball and bowling at the event, which will be held in Parkersburg Oct. 30 through Nov. 1.

The Red Knights have kept busy since forming in May. The group held a poker run in June to raise money for its Victims of Fire Fund and in July, presented $100 to the Larry Palmer Sr. family, whose home on state Route 27 was destroyed by a fire.

There are plans to hold a chicken barbecue this fall to raise additional funds.

Fred Marsh, the group's public relations coordinator, said donations may be sent to: Red Knights W.Va. Chapter 6, Victims of Fire Fund, P.O. Box 4, Follansbee, WV 26037.

Questions about the fund or group may be directed to Greg Salkovick, president, at (304) 670-4344, or Mike Seevers, secretary, at (304) 670-6806.

Marsh said the group has about 40 members from Brooke, Hancock and Ohio counties and Jefferson County in Ohio and is open to individuals from other areas.

It meets on the sixth of each month at various fire stations and for monthly rides at the end of each month.

Marsh said the group is working to establish its own Web site with the help of newly recruited members from Wheeling.

He said, in addition to supporting civic causes, Red Knights chapters are dedicated to promoting motorcycle safety and cycling as a sport.

Formed in 1984, the Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club has more than 225 chapters and 6,000 members in nearly a dozen countries around the world.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com)