“Brass Butt” Charity Ride raises thousands

PALMDALE – The city of Palmdale’s South Antelope Valley Emergency Services’ (SAVES) “Brass Butt” Charity Motorcycle Ride raised $12,000 and an additional $3,000 in pledges for emergency assistance to families in need, organizers announced Tuesday.

About 75 motorcycle riders took advantage of great weather on Sunday to participate in the third annual event.

Riders departed Camacho Auto Sales at 9 a.m. and traveled about 167 scenic miles through the Antelope Valley and Tehachapi, enjoying mountain views and even buffalo and ostrich sightings.

Upon their return, the riders were treated to a catered lunch by Palmdale’s El Carbonero restaurant, music by Prime Time events and a drawing for grand prizes.

Prize winners included: Jay Fox of Lancaster, Grand Prize, $300; Gary Toone of Littlerock, and Francois John Van Dyk and Mark Fisk both of Palmdale, $100; and Quint Gaskill, Stacia Nemeth and Denise Van Dyk of Palmdale, Brian Trimble of Rosamond and Brittany Horne of Lancaster, $50.

“This annual October fundraiser for SAVES raised money for the upcoming holidays to help families and residents of the south Antelope Valley with food baskets, clothing and toys at an especially hard time of the year,” stated Palmdale Housing Coordinator and Brass Butt Organizer Terri-Lei Wheeler.

First-time Brass Butt rider Martin Garcia said what he liked most about the ride was the scenery. “It was well thought out and you can see that a rider had mapped it out,” Garcia said.

Sponsors of the “Brass Butt” ride included presenting sponsor Camacho Mitsubishi & Camacho Auto Sales, Newport Pacific Family of Companies, Opsec Specialized Protection, Prime Realty of Conejo Valley, Antelope Valley Ford/Lincoln/Mazda, Econowest Heating and Air, Antelope Valley Mall, Arena Homes, SCV Escrow, 24 Hour Fitness–Palmdale, Trader Joe’s, Law Tigers, El Carbonero, Sport Club AV and Jamba Juice (East & West Palmdale), Best Buy, Starbucks and Souplantation.

This year’s Brass Butt event took place the same day as the Fallen Heroes event. “We encouraged our riders to make a quick stop at Harley and register for the Fallen Heroes ride, and then jump back on the freeway and join us,” Wheeler said, referencing the printed message included in all the Brass Butt rider instructions. “I was very proud that several riders did just that. Next year, the Brass Butt ride won’t conflict with Fallen Heroes which will allow riders more opportunities to ride, and give the mission of Fallen Heroes the respect that is due.”

For more information about Brass Butt, visit www.cityofpalmdale.org/Residents/SAVES/Brass-Butt, or call 661-267-5126 or 661-267-5191.

[Information via news release from the city of Palmdale.]

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