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The title of
this story should be "The Real Meaning of Brotherhood"
On
September 13th, Kerr's Wing House on hwy19 in
Pinellas Park was the final stop and party spot for a  very
special poker run. We talked to Tony Bartolo, a
managing partner with the Wing House, to get more of
the story of this special event.
This past
year a fellow rider by the name of Mark Grace was
working at Jim's Harley Davidson of St. Petersburg,
and generally enjoying life. That all changed in an instant when
he was riding his bike one day after work and was T-boned at an
intersection. This wasn't a minor accident, Mark was hospitalized
for more than 6 months with severe injuries and severe brain
damage from the accident. Now here is where the story gets a
little strange. One lawyer (read ambulance chaser) told Mark that
he would get things going for him. Sadly, he not only didn't get
things going, but he didn't file critical paperwork and suddenly
Mark was in serious financial troubles to boot!
This is
where Della Costa & Neville, P.A., Jim's Harley Davidson
and Kerr's Wing House got involved. The law firm not only
took on Mark's case but went even further than that. Between them
and Jim's HD and the Wing House they set up this charity poker run
with ALL proceeds going to mark and his family. With the aid of
sponsors funding the poker run, they provided a $1000 first prize
for the winner of the run, a lot of fun for everyone and an event
that proudly helped one of their own. All of these businesses have
other charity functions that they endorse, but when the chips were
down, they stepped up again in a big way.
The party
was kept going while waiting for the riders to get there, by the
music of Marc Anthony Roman. If you haven't been to
the Wing House before, then you are missing some great atmosphere
and even better food. This place made us feel right at home and we
were set up with "front row" seats outside on the deck
so we could watch everything going on for the day. The good folks
at the Wing House had set up a dunk tank and a football toss for
additional entertainment and
Jim's HD had a booth where the riders could check in and post
their poker hands. Bobby Diehl of the Charlotte County Motorsports
Park was on hand with one of the stock cars that they race at his
speedway and Signage Pro was there doing some of their vinyl wrap
work on Mark Anthony's trailer. Their great work also graces the
trailer of Della Costa & Neville! The dunk tank was by far the
most popular thing there when the crowds got in. There's just
something about seeing a beautiful girl in a bikini getting dunked
in cold water on a hot day! The star and beneficiary of the event
even took a few throws himself, before running up and just pushing
the target to send the beauty into the water!
At about 4:00 pm, the party really got going with the arrival of a
really special guest, Angelo Dundee. For fight
fans, Angelo Dundee was the trainer of boxing great Muhammad Ali.
Angelo was there to sign autographs and even signed a boxing glove
for a door prize for one of the riders. It was a real kick to meet
this bit of living history!
All in all
the Wing House should be commended for a great party
and for being involved in this project. Della Costa &
Neville, P.A. showed that they truly care for " the
brotherhood of riders" and the biking community, and are
willing to put their talents and their "money" where
their mouths are to prove it. And Jim's Harley Davidson of
St. Petersburg showed that they support their own and get involved
in the local community the way a dealership should! I think they
showed that they are not only a dealership of good bikes, but a
family of riders that want to help others too. An event well worth
the drive to get there and businesses that I can be proud to say
that you should check out too! |
