You know, you can always tell when someone cares about someone else. You can also tell when they give more than they expect in return. You can tell when they are worried more about others more than they worry about themselves. I had the chance this weekend from Friday through Sunday to meet and watch such a person like this and I'm proud to announce that it is an Alabama Ride Captain - Penguin! Before I continue, read the article in Sunday's Montgomery Advertiser below -

Fundraiser honors officer's memory

Area motorcyclists spent the weekend using their passion for riding to help the Montgomery Police Department.

Members of the Blue Knights, an international police motorcycle club, the Patriot Guard Riders, the Christian Motorcycle Association and the Wheels of Faith raised thousands of dollars in the name of slain Montgomery police officer Keith E. Houts. The donated funds will go toward buying dashboard cameras for the Police Department.

It was the dashboard camera in Houts' patrol car that allowed investigators to see his Sept. 28 shooting and develop a suspect in the case. Mario Woodward, 32, of Montgomery has been charged with capital murder in Houts' death.

Paul Reynolds, a Blue Knights and PGR member who helped coordinate the fundraiser, said the Blue Knights and the other groups want to ensure that all city patrol cars are equipped as Houts' car was.

Lt. Mark Drinkard, bureau commander for the department's planning and technology division, said the Police Department already has 100 patrol cars outfitted with dashboard cameras. Approximately $125,000 in the city's budget is set aside to buy another 35 cameras.

About 100 more will be needed, Drinkard said.

"We have a lot of (patrol units) that don't have cameras," Drinkard said. "Most of the cameras we do have are outdated. We really need a digital format."

Those raising money for the department hope to help fund the necessary equipment.

The groups spent Friday outside Sam's Club, collecting money in their motorcycle helmets. At the end of the day, they had raised more than $5,700, including $1,000 from one anonymous donor and a $2,000 donation from Sam's Club.

"I never would have expected what we got (in one day)," said Reynolds, a retired Montgomery police officer. "About $4,500 more and I'll have gone over my goal (of $10,000)."

The total from Saturday's event, a poker run hosted by Up the Creek Fish Camp and Grill, was not available Saturday evening. The poker run consisted of a motorcycle ride during which riders stopped at several locations along the planned route and were given a playing card.

At the end of the run, the rider with the best hand won a cash prize. The poker run gave way Saturday afternoon to a block party at Up the Creek.

Wynne Harrison, marketing and community involvement coordinator for Sam's Club, worked on fundraising efforts with Reynolds and Rob Proffitt, an East Ridge, Tenn., native who recently moved to Montgomery and joined the PGR. Proffitt, a manager at Up the Creek, was integral in planning the poker run.

Proffitt was unable to see his efforts to fruition, though. The 32-year-old former U.S. Marine died Oct. 20 from injuries he'd sustained in a motorcycle accident six days earlier.

Saturday's poker run honored both Houts and Proffitt, Reynolds said.

Don "Pops" Carroll, a Vietnam veteran and member of PGR, said it is people like Proffitt and Houts, who also was former military, who need to be honored?

"Our soldiers fight for our freedom and our police officers defend our freedom," Carroll said Friday. "That's why I'm here today."

By Crystal Bonvillian
Montgomery Advertiser

When a group comes together for a purpose, led by an individual like Penguin you can have no outcome other than success. This weekend mission was more than successful and at the same time we had the opportunity to celebrate the Patriot Guard's 1st Anniversary. Twister, Snap, Ancient One (who is Ancient), Catfish, some of Alabama's finest Ride Captains and I along with all the fine members had the opportunity to witness what Penguin has been working on for these past 2 weeks. We also had a great time after the mission talking, laughing, crying, and partying with all until the wee hours of the morning.

I'd like to thank the following -

Twister for being there!
All the PGR members that made the event
Up the Creek and their Staff
Animal and ICVMC
The Blue Knights
VoVMC
CMA
Wheels of Faith
Pastor Dolphus

Prattville VFW and all the VFW members that participated.
and the Montgomery Police Department's Motorcycle Division

All of these groups came together as one for one common cause and I can't say enough about them.

And I'd like to send an extremely special and warm thanks to Penguin for his hard work in putting this all together. YOU DID GOOD MON!

Take care and God Bless!

Dinky

PS: Photos of this event are available by emailing me.