Motorcyclists enter the auditorium at the Northbridge
Alternative School at the start of an assembly that featured a talk by Jim
"Fooey" Scheer, chapter president of Bikers Against Child Abuse of
Montgomery County, who spoke about ways to prevent abuse and bullying.
HATFIELD TWP. - The thunderous roar
of motorcycle engines filled the Northbridge Alternative School's gym Tuesday
afternoon.
But the riders of Montgomery County's Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) weren't
just there to rev their engines and show off their bikes: they were there to
warn about child abuse and share life lessons they hope will stay with the
students for the rest of their lives.
"Don't trust anybody just because they're adult. You don't know me and I
don't know you, just because we've been introduced to each other. Don't keep
secrets, and if you see or hear about something that happened, make sure you
tell somebody that you do trust," said BACA chapter President Jim Scheer.
Wearing jeans and vests adorned with ride patches, Scheer and six local BACA
bikers rode into the school gym around 1 p.m. Tuesday, and spent about an hour
presenting headlines of local child abuse cases, and warning students of the
dangers of child abuse and ways to get help, like by calling Childhelp USA's
abuse hotline at (800) 4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453).
"Each one of you has the power to change your own situation for the
better," said Scheer. "You may think you're going through hell now,
but once you graduate and get out there in the real world, these are some of
the things you'll have to deal with, so you need to learn right now that there
are people out there like us who'll help you through things."
Despite what some may have seen as "tough" appearances and
intimidating facial hair, like Scheer's brown goatee and BACA Vice President
Rich Bennett's forked beard, most of the bikers are regular people and willing
to help, Scheer told the students.
By presenting a PowerPoint of local child abuse stories and explaining how he
and other students had interacted with the abusers, Scheer described the ways
child abuse can happen and how to stop it, to Northbridge's approximately 80
students.
In fact, one of the BACA bikers is also a Northbridge 11th-grade teacher: Robyn
Gallagher, who heard Scheer speak in nearby Upper Moreland and felt his message
would be a natural fit for Northbridge.
"Some of the kids we have here are dealing with these same issues, and
we're going to be talking about this for the rest of the year: how they can go
to somebody for help, and how they can work through some of these problems day
by day, step by step, to get where they want to be with their lives," said
Gallagher.
And since Northbridge students are those who, for one reason or another, need
an alternative from the rest of North Penn's educational system, the lessons
learned Tuesday will help them even more, said assistant Principal Curtis
Callands.
"One of the things we hear about from the students is teen domestic
violence, because for many of them it's a part of the environment they grew up
in, but maybe some of them will hear what was said today and do something to
break that cycle," said Callands.
"This building is very unique, because we not only teach each of our
classroom subjects, we're also trying to help these students get back on the
right path," he said.
Gallagher said she noticed that most of the Northbridge students understood
that clearly during Scheer's presentation.
"Some of the kids were saying things before like, 'Oh, this is stupid,'
or, 'I don't want to listen to them,' but even those kids were silent and listening
the whole time today," she said.
Each student is capable of changing his or her life, but sometimes need help
and each has to make the decision to do so, Scheer said.
"I want to challenge those kids to live through whatever they're going
through, and to make a difference with their lives. Talk to someone now, and
get in touch with me or come back and see me in a year, and let me know you're
still alive and kicking," he said.
The Reporter Newspaper March 2, 2009
Bikers look to lend a hand
Monday, March 2, 2009 6:04 AM EST
By DAN SOKIL
Every year, members of Montgomery County's Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) do everything they can to help out the county's Office of Children and Youth Services.
But in these tough times, the county office needs a little more help than usual.
"We've learned in meetings with them that this year, with the economy the way it is, more houses are going into foreclosure and families are not having any place to go," said Barb Jansons, BACA's treasurer.
That's why BACA has started a Diaper Drive to try to help the county's Foster Care Program, by collecting new diapers, wipes, bottles, pacifiers and more to be donated to the agency.
"They really need supplies, especially for little kids. Apparently they have a lot of babies coming in, so they're desperate for diapers and wipes and even things like jackets for the kids," said Jansons.
"Because they have a storage problem, we're just asking for new things to be donated, but right now their numbers are already increasing and with this economy, they're expecting them to go up even further this year," she said.
Four drop-off locations are already in place for those who wish to donate:
Lower Salford Township's Administration Building at 379 Main St., Harleysville.
Sen. Rob Wonderling's office, 427 W.
Main St., Lansdale.
Abington Bank, 407 S. Broad St. (The Pavilion), Lansdale.
Acme, 1150 W. Main St, Towamencin.
BACA works together with the County Office of Children and Youth Services, collecting toys and gift cards for the county to donate to the needy.
"We work with the county office throughout the year, and they in turn support us, so we thought this was maybe a little extra thing we could do for them," said Jansons.
Last year, BACA held a Fall Festival day at Freddy Hill Farms in Towamencin and sponsored 50 children's participation in the event, and they also help by making cash donations to the County Office during the year.
Other new items you can donate include bottles, pacifiers, bibs, baby blankets, lotions and toiletries, sleepers, children's underwear, socks, pajamas, toothbrushes and toothpaste, hairbrushes and combs, or hats and mittens; any donation of new items will help, said Jansons.
"This is the first year we're trying this Diaper Drive, mostly because this situation just arose and we're trying to step in and help out a little bit. Hopefully the public can help us out too," Jansons said.
For more information, contact Jansons at (215) 256-9500 or (215) 872-2104, or email treasurer@bacamontco.com.
The Reporter - 09/07/2008
Rain doesn't stop bikers
By: David Hare
09/07/2008
LANSDALE - She may have only been passing through, but Hurricane Hanna can now say she's been to Bike Night in Lansdale.
She certainly left an impression on the bikers. Instead of closing down Main Street as in Bike Night's past, Saturday's storm forced most of the motorcycle exhibits and vendors to set up tents in the parking lot of the Lansdale train station.
"The rain doesn't stop us," said Hollywood, treasurer of the Iron Eagles, a motorcycle club based in Lansdale.
Like many of the local clubs, the Iron Eagles spend a lot of their time raising awareness - and dollars - in fighting social ills.
Mann On Main Street, a community soup kitchen and food cupboard in Lansdale, is a beneficiary of the Iron Eagles.
"Three or four times a year we go to Costco and stock the shelves at Manna," Zig Zag said.
Zig Zag is president of the Iron Eagles. His name is no more unusual than Hollywood's or any other bikers for that matter. It's part of the brotherhood.
Gazoo is a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse of Montgomery County. His club had their own tent set up in the parking lot Saturday, but the rain found him hanging out with the Iron Eagles.
Zig Zag explained the significance of the Inter-Club patch worn by he and his fellow riders.
"It represents seven or eight clubs in Montgomery County, we all work together,"
he said.
"We got each other's backs," Hollywood added.
Gazoo was on hand to promote a beef and beer fundraiser BACA is holding Sept. 13 at the Third and Walnut streets bar in Lansdale. The money raised will help send mentally and physically disabled children to Florida to compete in the Pop Warner Super Bowl at Disney World in December.
Carla Bates weathered the storm Saturday to get her message out. She's the treasurer for the Montgomery County chapter of A.B.A.T.E., which stands for Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education.
It's kind of a grassroots political activist group for bikers' rights.
"We help educate people," Bates said.
In 2003, A.B.A.T.E. was instrumental in repealing Pennsylvania's mandatory motorcycle helmet law. It's not that the group is against safe riding. But Bates said oftentimes helmets can serve as a hindrance to bikers, such as limiting one's peripheral vision or distorting noise through reverberation.
"It's about freedom of choice," she said.
THE REPORTER
Posted on Tue, Apr 22, 2008
Bikers’ child abuse awareness day to be held
By DAN SOKIL, Staff Writer
The Montgomery County chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse is always looking for ways to increase awareness of child abuse issues in the community.
BACA’s second annual Community Awareness Day, which is Friday evening, should help spread the word even further. It’s also Child Abuse Awareness Month.
“We do things like show up at court hearings as support for families, we do a lot of charity runs, donate money to Camp Joy every year, we just do lots of things to try and help out the community,” said BACA member Dave Weakley.
The evening’s events will be free to the community, and will include skateboarding and karate demonstrations, a motorcycle and bike show, appearances by the Cannoneers Club and a police DARE vehicle.
Parents will also be able to make Child IDs for their kids, and the Philadelphia Eagles have donated four passes to this year’s Eagles Youth Football Camp to be raffled off.
The first Community Awareness Day was held last year at North Penn High School, Weakley said, but the increased number of sponsors led organizers to try to find a new location.
Enter the Indian Valley Boys & Girls Club.
“Their goal is to raise community awareness, and help teach people how to keep children safe, but also to celebrate children and youth, too,” said Jake Dawson, the IVBGC’s executive director.
The Boys & Girls Club serves as a safe environment for children to play, learn, socialize and do homework.
“We have almost 200 kids doing homework here five days a week, so we tend to go through a lot of equipment,” Dawson said.
Therefore, although admission to the Awareness Day is free, BACA asks that guests bring school or art supplies, such as book bags, book covers, pens, pencils, and paper to donate to the Boys & Girls Club.
“I was a member of a Boys Club back when I was a kid, but this place has so much stuff going on for kids, and all kinds of after school programs, it’s just amazing,” Weakley said.
Other Awareness Day sponsors include Mike Cappi’s American Karate, the Lansdale Fraternal Order of Eagles and Vertis Communications of Colmar.
“There are going to be so many things going on, and we’ll pack it into just a few hours. Last year we did a lot better than we thought we would, but this year will be crazy,” Weakley said.
Image:
Pottstown Mercury – August 14, 2007
Hockey coach’s court appearance draws bikers group
NEW HANOVER — A hockey coach arrested in July on sexual assault charges is headed to trial in Montgomery County Court after waiving a preliminary hearing Monday.
Gary Byer, 66, of Berger Lane, Lower Frederick, went before District Judge Dorothy Skerchock Monday afternoon on charges stemming from incidents that occurred over the past three years, according to court documents.
Byer coached several youth ice hockey teams throughout Montgomery and Bucks counties during that time, authorities said, and investigators are looking into whether Byer may have assaulted other children.
During Byer’s court appearance on Monday, about a dozen members of Bikers Against Child Abuse gathered outside the courtroom.
“We’re here to support the victims and their families,” said Keith Dungan, president of the group known as BACA.
Dungan said he and other members of the national BACA program follow stories of crime in the news and come out to support the families who have been affected by it. In addition, the organization also aims to send a message to accused criminals.
Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman applauded the service of BACA members.
“I think sometimes crime victims feel alone,” regardless of how much support they have from friends and family, Ferman said. “For them to come to court and see this incredibly powerful, strong network of supporters is very reassuring.
“They’re very committed to protecting children, and I think they do a great service to the community,” she added. Ferman said the support from BACA is reassuring to the prosecution.
“As the prosecutor in the room, it’s very nice” to have BACA’s support. “It sends the message that none of us will tolerate this kind abuse,” Ferman said.
Members of the group sat with the victim’s family in the court room, holding hands and consoling them as Skerchock listed additional counts of rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, solicitation for involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, corruption of minors, unlawful contact/communication with the child and other charges that Byer will face in county court.
Skerchock denied a request from Byer’s attorney to have his $500,000 cash bail lowered to a 10 percent bond.
Assistant District Attorney Samantha Cauffman claimed Byer may try to flee if he is able to post bail.
“Numerous times he has given the indication that if he gets out he’ll move far, far away,” Cauffman said, citing recorded phone conversations Byer allegedly had while incarcerated. Cauffman noted that Byer is not a citizen of the United States but of Canada, and given the long sentence Byer faces if convicted, his flight is a strong possibility, she said.
Byer’s formal arraignment date is Oct. 17.
No bail reduction in alleged molesting
Authorities feared Gary Byer could flee to his native Canada. By Patrick Lester | Of The Morning CallAugust 14, 2007
An imprisoned Montgomery County man accused of molesting a 10-year-boy had his request for a bail reduction denied Monday after prosecutors said he was a risk to move ''far, far away'' if released from prison.
Gary L. Byer, a 66-year-old former area hockey coach, was returned to Montgomery County prison under $500,000 bail after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing at District Court in Gilbertsville and facing members of a motorcycle group that showed up in court to support the victim.
''This is a very, very serious case,'' Samantha Cauffman, the assistant district attorney prosecuting the case, told District Judge Dorothy Sherchock in arguing against lowering Byer's bail. ''It involves a lot of heartache for a young boy.''Cauffman said that during the course of the investigation, Byer had told others that he would move ''far, far away'' if he was able to post bail and get out of prison.
Cauffman said Byer is not a United States citizen -- he is Canadian -- and that ''there is a likelihood of a conviction that includes a lot of time [in prison].''
Byer, who lives at 8 Berger Road, Lower Frederick Township, said nothing during his brief court appearance. His attorney, Luke McLaughlin of Norristown, declined to comment. McLaughlin asked Sherchock for ''more reasonable bail,'' saying Byer owns property locally and has been employed by the same company for many years.
Byer, in handcuffs and leg shackles, put his head down as he was taken out of court by county detectives in front of a group of about a dozen members of Bikers Against Child Abuse of Montgomery County, which frequently attends court hearings involving suspected sex offenders.
''We want to make sure that [the victim] knows that what happened was not their fault,'' said Keith Dungan, president of the national group and of the Montgomery County chapter. ''Someone did something to them and they can go on in life.''
Byer was charged July 2 with multiple offenses, including criminal rape attempt, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault.
Cauffman filed additional charges Monday, including rape of a child, indecent assault and unlawful contact with a child.
Authorities have accused Byer of ''ongoing'' sexual contact with the boy. Cauffman said the alleged incidents occurred during a two-year period. Investigators said after Byer's arrest that he was involved in youth ice hockey leagues in the Montgomery and Bucks County areas.
Byer is scheduled to be arraigned in Montgomery County court on October 17.
BACA MontCo Hosts
Community Day at High School
Story by Norm Keller E. Penn Biker Magazine June 2007 edition
You may be aware that B.A.C.A. (Bikers Against Child Abuse) does a lot of work for kids, but it’s sometimes amazing to me at the amount of work they actually do. Beginning in February Barbara “Stitch” Finnegan from Montgomery County Chapter began to put together an event at the North Penn High School in Lansdale, Pa that would draw community services together that work with kids.
In just a few months they had support from many local services and businesses. What they did was have a community awareness day where people come and talk to many of these organizations all at one time. There would be activities to entertain the kids, prize drawings and some refreshments and a martial arts demonstration. To add to the interest, the kids would see all of these great looking motorcycles parked on the sidewalk outside of the cafeteria.
Kudos go out to the BACA Montco and Bucks County for putting together such a great community event. This type of community involvement helps to show the community that we are more then just leather wearing, loud pipes and tattoos.
I would also like to mention that Commerce Bank has committed to contribute a percentage of registered accounts to BACA. To find out more about this and about BACA Montco visit their website by going to www.bacamontco.com or by sending an email to bacamontco@bacamontco.com and don’t forget that when you talk to them tell them that you read about the Community Awareness Day in the pages of E. Penn Biker Magazine.
Senator Rob Wonderling News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/11/2006
CONTACT: Liz Ferry Phone: 215-368-1500
PA Senator Wonderling Presents Grant to Bikers Against Child Abuse
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
Pennsylvania Senator Rob Wonderling (R-24) will present a $5,000 grant to the Montgomery County Chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 12:00 p.m. at his Montgomery County office located at 427 West Main Street in Lansdale. The funding will be used to help provide educational and promotional materials for Bikers Against Child Abuse.
“I’m pleased to be able to assist this important organization. Child abuse is a terrible tragedy. Every day, it takes the lives of three children in the United States. Bikers Against Child Abuse is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of children suffering from abuse and neglect. We must do all we can to protect this nation’s most valuable resource – our kids,” said Senator Wonderling.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, 44 children died of child abuse and more than 23,600 cases of child abuse were reported in 2004, the most recent annual data available. Child abuse kills more children than any other single leading cause of death, including choking on food, suffocation, drowning, residential fires, motor vehicle accidents, and falls.
Bikers Against Child Abuse is a registered non-profit Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Group founded in 1987 and incorporated in 1988 with chapters in 11 states and Canada. The mission of the organization is to assist physically and emotionally abused children, and work to prevent all types of child abuse before it starts.
To report child abuse, the ChildLine and Abuse Registry Intake Unit (800-932-0313) is available 24 hours to receive reports of suspected child abuse. Professionals who come into contact with children are required to report when they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child coming before them in their professional capacity is an abused child. In addition, any person may report suspected abuse, even if the individual wishes to remain anonymous.
Since January 2003, Senator Wonderling has served as a member of the Pennsylvania Children’s Trust Fund Board, which was established in 1988 for the purpose of creating a funding source for community-based children’s programs and services for child abuse and neglect prevention.
From: "James D. Hay, Jr."
Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2006 19:39:59 -0500
Hi, Orangeman! I am writing this short note to my brothers and sisters in our great Chapter to tell everyone that my wife Pattie and I had an absolutely wonderful time at the THIRD ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET. Thank you SO much for inviting us! Despite my asthma giving me a hard time, it was great to be surrounded by so many dynamically involved bikers and to see them so deservedly recognized for the fantastic work and dedication for and to the cause of eliminating abuse to children. I can honestly tell you that my heart swelled with pride as each name was called and every award was presented. When I started riding my first motorcycle 40 years ago no one could have convinced me that I would have the privilege and honor to be associated with the likes of the marvelous membership of BACA MontCo!!
I was so wrapped-up in your quick-paced and comprehensive agenda Orangeman, that I only realized on the way home to West Chester that it would have been appropriate for me, as a representative of the Poker Run to Benefit Camp JOY, to ask for a few moments to address the group. Having missed that possible opportunity, I would like to use this method, albeit somewhat lacking the enthusiasm and sincerity that I could have displayed and/or conveyed in person to express heartfelt and overwhelming gratitude for the unbelievably generous donation made by the Chapter at the 11th Annual Poker Run last year. The Poker Run and all activities related to it raised $30,000 which was used, all of it, to provide Camperships for many individuals who would not otherwise been able to attend the very special place we call Camp JOY because of financial difficulty. Some of our BACA Chapter members are aware that many campers are and have been exposed to abuse of every sort...mainly because they are "different" and frequently because they are unable to tell of the atrocities visited upon them. I am extremely proud to report that the BACA MontCo contribution to the mentioned amount represented 20% of the total and really made a big difference!! I just realized that I may have mentioned at the beginning of this EMessage that it was going to be "short"...hmmmm. Maybe it was better that I didn't take the microphone that night...we might still be there! Thank you, everyone, for the super work you all do and especially for the love and continuing support that you have for OUR Camp!!
I am privileged to be an Honorary Member to know you all! Ride Safe!
Jim Hay Co-Founder, Camp Joy Biker
News Articles From Rominger Legal
Bikers go into court to support child -abuse victims
Feb 8, 2004 - The Harrisburg Patriot
Author(s): Jennifer Kay Ron Miner stopped talking and stared at the defendant walking past him into the courtroom. He made sure
the man, charged with sexually assaulting a 3-year-old girl, got a look at the patches on his denim vest:
Bikers Against Child Abuse.
Longtime participants of toy runs and other charity fund- raisers, some bikers now take their motorcycles to the courtroom for a more personal stand against child abuse. They say their fierce reputation lends strength to victims and their families in court.
Miner had kind words and a hug for the girl's mother, getting ready to testify. "We're not here to threaten
anybody. We're here to let you know that people do care," he told her. Miner and four other members of the Bikers Against Child Abuse of Montgomery County Inc. attended the Jan. 27 preliminary hearing in Willow Grove district court, all wearing patch-covered denim vests over their leather jackets. They make time during the week to come to court, they say, to fill a void for families in need. "They need a bigger shoulder to lean on than they're getting from the public," said chapter president Keith "Orangeman" Dungan of North Wales. Dungan offered the girl's mother, who didn't know they were coming, his cell phone number to call if she needed food, clothing or a contact with the county's social services.
Miner, known in the group as "Pinhead," got on his knees to talk to the girl. She hid her eyes under a hat.
The 40-member group, part of a Pennsylvania -based organization that promotes child abuse awareness and prevention, made their first court appearance in December 2001. The Montgomery County district attorney's office embraced their initiative. Wendy Demchick -Alloy, chief of the office's sex crimes unit, said the bikers are "law-abiding, civilized, very well-intentioned." "I'm sure there's going to be some whining at some point, 'They're intimidating.' That's not what they're doing. They want to help," she said.
In March, a judge in Provo, Utah, ordered bikers attending pretrial hearings for a man charged with
molesting children to leave their jackets bearing their logo -- a red and white fist with "BACA" across the
knuckles -- outside the courtroom. The bikers in their leather riding gear "just made it a circus every time we had court," defense attorney Mike Esplin said, making intimidating comments to the family of his client.
The Pennsylvania Bikers Against Child Abuse, whose logo is a motorcycle above their motto, "Please Stop
the Hurt, it's their Future," are not affiliated with the Utah-based group. Members from both biker groups repeat the same mission statement: We want to help kids feel safe. We just happen to ride motorcycles.
Court appearances are part of a plan developed by a child therapist who founded the Utah-based Bikers
Against Child Abuse Inc. in 1995. Paul DuBois, the group's spokesman, said their members go to court to
make children feel safe enough to testify. "The perpetrator might get a little intimidated, and that's OK in our opinion, because what did that perpetrator do to that child when he was raping him?" he said. The bikers get involved at the request of an abused child's family once a case is brought to court, DuBois
said.
Miner and the Montgomery County bikers never spoke to the defendant. They had hoped he would waive
his preliminary hearing so the girl's mother would not have to testify. The judge set bail and ordered him
