Nam Knights plan pig roast to raise money for veterans
By Mike Hamson
Special Correspondent
TBO.com
Published: March 23, 2016
PLANT CITY — Gregg Wyckoff of Fishhawk Ranch loves the brotherhood of the Nam Knights MC Westside Chapter.
He said the group is hosting its 10th annual pig roast on April 2 from noon to 5 p.m. at Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse Grill, 106 State Road 60 E., Plant City.
Wyckoff, a member of the club for 10 years, said the event will include bands, food and vendors.
“The original chapter in New Jersey was started by guys who were Vietnam veterans,” he said. “They loved to ride bikes. Most of us miss that camaraderie we had with like-minded guys. Then we all realized we like riding motorcycles.”
Retired, Wyckoff is a Vietnam-era veteran. He said the group is also made up of law enforcement personnel.
“That’s the best part for me — the brotherhood,” he said. “We don’t just put money down and join this motorcycle club. We prospect for up to a year to show they really want to be a part of something like this.”
The annual pig roast benefits the Haley House and the Lynne Sowers Foundation. In the last 9 years, the Westside Chapter has raised more than $130,000 for the two charities.
“We have a real good group of guys,” Wyckoff said. “The main focus is to help veterans and law enforcement officers in their time of need.”
He said the chapter is proud of the work accomplished by volunteers and staff at The Haley House.
“These are wounded veterans,” he said. “If the family does not have the money to stay in a hotel to visit them, the Haley House will put their families up at one of the local hotels. They run a shuttle service so the families can get back and forth to the hospitals to visit their wounded heroes.”
While the Haley House supports families of wounded soldiers with transportation to and from the James A. Haley Hospital, the Lynne Sowers Foundation helps families of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in times of catastrophic needs.
Wyckoff said his group dispels any negative stereotypes people have about people who love to ride motorcycles.
“The club travels a bit to different fundraisers,” he said. “It’s amazing to me the people who ride motorcycles. They are some of the most generous people you run into.”
During the pig roast, they will auction off a signed Brad Paisley guitar.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 day of the event.
For information, email lowrider051@msn.com.
Special Correspondent
TBO.com
Published: March 23, 2016
PLANT CITY — Gregg Wyckoff of Fishhawk Ranch loves the brotherhood of the Nam Knights MC Westside Chapter.
He said the group is hosting its 10th annual pig roast on April 2 from noon to 5 p.m. at Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse Grill, 106 State Road 60 E., Plant City.
Wyckoff, a member of the club for 10 years, said the event will include bands, food and vendors.
“The original chapter in New Jersey was started by guys who were Vietnam veterans,” he said. “They loved to ride bikes. Most of us miss that camaraderie we had with like-minded guys. Then we all realized we like riding motorcycles.”
Retired, Wyckoff is a Vietnam-era veteran. He said the group is also made up of law enforcement personnel.
“That’s the best part for me — the brotherhood,” he said. “We don’t just put money down and join this motorcycle club. We prospect for up to a year to show they really want to be a part of something like this.”
The annual pig roast benefits the Haley House and the Lynne Sowers Foundation. In the last 9 years, the Westside Chapter has raised more than $130,000 for the two charities.
“We have a real good group of guys,” Wyckoff said. “The main focus is to help veterans and law enforcement officers in their time of need.”
He said the chapter is proud of the work accomplished by volunteers and staff at The Haley House.
“These are wounded veterans,” he said. “If the family does not have the money to stay in a hotel to visit them, the Haley House will put their families up at one of the local hotels. They run a shuttle service so the families can get back and forth to the hospitals to visit their wounded heroes.”
While the Haley House supports families of wounded soldiers with transportation to and from the James A. Haley Hospital, the Lynne Sowers Foundation helps families of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in times of catastrophic needs.
Wyckoff said his group dispels any negative stereotypes people have about people who love to ride motorcycles.
“The club travels a bit to different fundraisers,” he said. “It’s amazing to me the people who ride motorcycles. They are some of the most generous people you run into.”
During the pig roast, they will auction off a signed Brad Paisley guitar.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 day of the event.
For information, email lowrider051@msn.com.
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