| The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville |
Published: July 15, 2013
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. ? The Iraq War is over and combat in Afghanistan is winding down, but the motorcycles were still revving up loud as ever Sunday for a fundraiser supporting military members serving overseas.
Joined by Jacksonville Jaguars center Brad Meester, the long line of bikers rode to benefit Jacksonville-based St. Michael?s Soldiers, an all-volunteer nonprofit based in Jacksonville.
Kathy Signorile, who founded St. Michael?s Soldiers in 2010, said the group?s mission is crucial as ever to support those ?going over and risking their lives and their limbs.?
?That?s something we just can?t let be forgotten,? she said. ?We need to let them know that what they?re doing matters.?
The Five Cards for Freedom Poker run was led by Meester as grand marshal. As an NFL player, hopping on a motorcycle is off-limits, but he squeezed into a restored hot rod.
Meester said he turned out to support the cause and also because he is friends with Signorile and her husband, Jim. He first met them about them about eight years ago when they leased a townhouse he owned.
?It?s about being friends of the family and helping our soldiers,? he said. ?Anything I can do for the military is huge.?
St. Michael?s Soldiers is a homegrown nonprofit that operates out of the Signoriles? home. The number of volunteers supporting the group ranges from 100 to 150 people. They help support events such as the motorcycle fundraiser and getting ?home sweet home? packages mailed to people serving in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
?It?s 100 percent volunteers,? Signorile said. ?Every penny we make goes to the military.?
The group has gained support from Jacksonville public school students and businesses, including Cadillac of Orange Park. Some supporters donate items for the home sweet home packages, while others contribute money to cover shipping expenses.
Signorile said she?s received four-page thank-you letters from service members. A shorter letter still leaves her moved as she recounts the soldier writing to say he had opened the home sweet home package and was eating its Oreos while thinking how good is was to have someone thinking of him.
?You get a letter like that ? how simple is that?? she said. ?But it says everything about what the kids are doing for their country.?
That personal outreach is why Florida Chapter 137 of the American Legion Riders took part in Sunday?s ride to support members of the military, said Ann Bookout, merchandise manager for the chapter.
?They?re still over there and they are still in need, regardless of where their beds are,? she said. ?If they?re not with their families, we?re there for them 100 percent ? past, present and future.?
david.bauerlein@jacksonville.com
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