Ghouls, ghosts and zombies riding Harleys will roar through downtown Clarkston on Oct. 29 around noon on their way to cheering children in Depot Park.
Kaz Mamon of Ortonville and his Mamon Riders plan to bring Halloween to the special needs children of Oakland County who cannot trick-or-treat.
‘Have you ever seen a kid in a wheel chair trick-or-treat?? asked Mamon. ‘I haven’t. It’s about helping kids be kids. They didn’t ask for the illness.?
The event includes a hot dog lunch at 11:30 a.m., with bikers passing out buckets around noon which they will fill with educational items and goodies for the children.
In addition to the buckets, Mamon said attendees can enjoy clowns, face-painting, balloons and music free of charge.
Mamon, who emphasized that the event is for special needs kids only, went to many local retailers and asked for donations creating approximately 200 buckets.
‘My goal is to get as many people as possible out with the children of our community,? said Mamon.
Over the last ten years, Mamon has run similar rides to help children with illnesses continue their education, including the annual Mamon Ride which draws around 3,000 riders.
‘Ten years ago, a friend’s kid got in a car wreck and I was worried about his education. So we put together a ride raising $15,500 which went for education to Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor,? said Mamon.
A year after that ride at a Halloween party, Mamon suggested to his friends they put a ride together for kids. The ride brought Halloween to kids in a hospital.
‘It separates the men from the boys. When I took 480 riders to a burn center in Cincinnati I advised them that 10 minutes after leaving on the journey home, it’s going to hit you,? said Mamon. ‘I can point out the biggest, baddest riders and they were bawling their eyes out.?
Since coming up with the idea, Mamon has held nine annual Mamon Rides, five Halloween rides, Easter rides and visits to various children’s hospitals. According to his Web site 5,000 people have rode along with Mamon, raising over $200,000 and helping over 28 children’s hospitals. The Mamon Riders also distributed 500 computers donated by General Motors to children’s hospitals. The money raised is intended to keep the children’s mind off their illness and continue their education.
‘It’s not all about the men with the nicest toys, it’s about the men with the biggest heart,? said Mamon reflecting on his efforts.
Those interested in riding are encouraged to RSVP and must pay a $10 entry fee. Registration is at Bullfrog’s on M-15 in Ortonville from 10 ? 11 a.m. Lunch for the bikers follows the ride around 2 p.m. at Outback Steakhouse. The costumed ride leaves Bullfrog’s at 11:30 a.m. Parents of children participating in the event must RSVP to be guaranteed a bucket.
To RSVP or for more information, call 248-627-2332.