Motorcycle club donates $257,000 to children’s hospital

An international motorcycle club has donated $257,000 to a Rapid City children’s hospital.

Hamsters USA, a custom motorcycle club, raised the money at its annual reception, party and membership induction that was held Monday in Spearfish in conjunction with the Sturgis motorcycle rally.

Grady Pfeiffer of San Diego said the group raffled 188 items at its live and silent auctions and donated proceeds from a $5,000 raffle to the Children’s Care Hospital & School in Rapid City.

“This is our main and major charity,” he said. “We like helping kids.”

Pfeiffer said 217 Hamsters attended the fundraiser.

The organization was founded in 1978 in Daytona, Fla., and now boasts more than 300 members.

Brian Bonde, the president of Children’s Care Hospital & School Foundation, said that for the past six years, Hamsters USA, has held its charity auction for the benefit of the children served by Children’s Care.

“It’s amazing generosity on the part of these guys to help these kids,” he said.

Bonde said a room in Rapid City’s Children’s Care Hospital has been paid for by the Hamsters’ contributions. This year’s $257,000 donation will support the activities and therapies that take place in that room and provide funds for children who could not get services in any other way.

Greg Wick, who is the owner of Pennington County Title Co., was inducted into the club eight years ago. He said the brotherhood of custom motorcycle builders enjoys giving back to the community.

“We’re really very fortunate and blessed to be able help children in this way,” he said.

As a parent, Wick said, touring the hospital and seeing what their contributions do has been inspiring.

“It’s cool to be a part of all this, and really moving,” he said. “Walking through the hospital and seeing these kids and their parents, you have an attitude of gratitude for what you have.”

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.