Shea Allen
waaytv.com
They may look hard on the outside, but Huntsville's Outcast Biker Club is nothing but heart. They came together Sunday to make sure those who need it most get a better Christmas. The group is also looking to ditch the negative image that goes along with loud motorcycles and black leather.
Outcast is part of a nationwide organization with chapters as far west as California. Huntsville chapter president, nicknamed "Bear" says bikers don't deserve the bad rap.
Bear says, "There are so many myths that we are trying to dispell about what bikers are. Most of us are just hard working people who have a serious hobby and motorcycle fetish."
Bear's cohort and also the organization's Vice President - coincidentally nicknamed "VP" agrees. VP says "Most people in the community thinks that bikers are just hard core guys with less than desirable values...riding bikes, drinking, partying, running women. But, that's not the case."
In fact, VP is a Iraq war veteran who was deployed overseas on numerous tours with the U.S. Army. Don't let the tough guy exterior fool you. Bear, VP and the other members of the Outcast Motorcycle Club are serious philanthropists.
Baby D is married to one of the bikers and rides herself. She explains, "Bikers from all over get a bad wrap, from way back in the day. And we're just trying to show our community that we're not bad people. We try to help people. We try to take care of people."
On Sunday, Outcast invited the community into their establishment. Wives and girlfriends prepared a homemade Christmas dinner, while the boys passed out clothes and canned goods and handed out presents to families who otherwise would have had a very lonely looking Christmas tree.
Bear says, "We're trying to make sure everybody eats today and everybody gets a present today...everybody should have a present for Christmas, especially children."
The group didn't make everyone come to them either. Members also hand delivered food and clothes to the homeless encampment under 565. Despite their somewhat intimidating appearance, these men and women have a passion to serve.
"We are just trying to do something positive and give back...and put a positive spin on who we are," says Bear.
Their mission to change some opinions about their "bad guy image" seems to be working. Jarrett Sullivan and his twin brother Julian volunteered at Sunday's event and walked away thinking the bad boy bikers were pretty cool. WAAY 31's Shea Allen asked Jarrett, "So sometimes bikers get a bad rap. Some people might even be scared of them. What do you think? What's the truth about them?"
Jarrett is quick to jump to their defense. "They are very nice guys. Not mean at all. And if you're lucky maybe they'll let you ride on the back of their motorcycle with them."
