Hogs for Hope raises money for the Center of Hope

Red kettles stood ready to collect monetary votes during the Hogs for Hope event at the Salvation Army to raise money for repairs to their facilities Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.  (Ken Barnes/News Tribune photo)
Red kettles stood ready to collect monetary votes during the Hogs for Hope event at the Salvation Army to raise money for repairs to their facilities Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. (Ken Barnes/News Tribune photo)


Jerry Bowman left his Ashland home early Saturday afternoon, riding his Harley-Davidson Road Glide to the Hogs for Hope fundraiser for the Jefferson City Salvation Army Center of Hope.

Bowman, chaplain for the New Breed Motorcycle Club -- a clean-and-sober club that has members in Jefferson City, Columbia, Fulton and Kansas City -- said he always finds the out-of-the-way routes to get where he's going on his motorcycle.

"I never go straight. I thought (Hogs for Hope) started at 3, so I left at 2:30," Bowman said, and added when he realized he was an extra hour early, he got to tour. "This is great."

Bowman was among about 75 other motorcycle and trike riders who participated in the fundraiser. For a $10 entry fee, the riders could enter their motorcycles in contests to see which ones event attendees liked the most, according to Brian Vogeler, director of the Center of Hope.

The event included a fish fry. Solid Rock Church, of Jefferson City provided the meal, which included hot dogs for those who wished for something different.

Vendors included Solid Rock Church, the United Way of Central Missouri, Christian Motorcycle Association, Our Father's Table, and others.

Our Father's Table is an organization of four Christian families that is developing a soup kitchen in Eldon, according to Kale Koehn, who is among folks folks putting it together.

The group is currently conducting fundraisers and reaching out to the community to get volunteers involved in its project. Some group members are part of the Eldon Ministerial Alliance, which gives them opportunities to work with people in need. The alliance helps people with buying gas and paying bills.

"There are a lot of people in Eldon that are living out of cars," Koehn said. "People are making a choice between bills and food."

The meals will possibly be served at the Eldon Community Center, 309 E. Second St., he said. Organizers intend to have the kitchen open 5:30-7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

"We're just trying to be there as much as we can. If people are working, they still need something to eat when they get home," Koehn said.

More information is available by emailing to [email protected], or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084853728664.

Hogs for Hope gave attendees opportunities to raise money for the Center of Hope. Each of the registered bikes received a red kettle for "votes." People could vote on their favorite motorcycles by dropping money in each motorcycles kettle. The motorcycle that raised the most money won a WWE-style belt for its rider.

A large blue and white Indian was a popular bike.

Bowman said he teases Indian-brand riders because Polaris owns that company now. He says they're basically riding four-wheelers in hiding.

"We're out here just showing off bikes and stuff," Bowman said. "As long as we're riding, that's all that matters."

  photo  Sidecar rides were available Saturday during the Salvation Army Hogs for Hope event to help raise money for much needed facilities maintenance and repairs. (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)
 
 
  photo  The owner of the motorcycle receiving the most votes (donations) was crowned "Peoples Champion" and took this belt home, during the Hogs for Hope event to raise money for the Jefferson City Salvation Army facility maintenance and repairs. (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)
 
 
  photo  Red kettles stood ready to collect monetary votes during the Hogs for Hope event at the Salvation Army to raise money for repairs to their facilities Saturday. (Ken Barnes/News Tribune)