Motorcycle's Save Lives: Kevin Hesse
The Power of Community at Motorcycle Missions
Community. It's one of those words that can be tricky to define, but when you have it, you know it. It's a feeling, and not something that you can package and sell. The folks at Motorcycle Missions understand this. You can create a setting, but community building has to happen on its own. Of course, a shared interest is foundational: the definition of community literally means a group of people with common interests. Cue the motorcycles.
Why Kevin Hesse Came to Sturgis
Kevin Hesse made the trip out to the Black Hills Rally in Sturgis for this very reason. A first responder and motorcyclist himself, he took a slightly different route into the organization than most. Kevin saw what Motorcycle Missions was up to, immediately understood it, and wanted to help.
Events With Purpose
And while Motorcycle Missions is better known for custom motorcycle builds or racing, attending events is a dual purpose operation. There is tough work involved, like setting up booths, selling merchandise, and getting the word out, but there is also a community aspect within. The shared purpose that builds community is the actual act of promoting Motorcycle Missions and its many programs, making volunteering the “hidden” program.
A Week Immersed in Service
Kevin jumped into the deep end at Sturgis, since it is a week long ordeal of attending or putting on events. Among the events this year was the first ever Pancakes and Pistons event. A free breakfast and bike show held in Outlaw Square in the town of Deadwood, it began with an early morning set up and a fast paced day, serving pancakes, keeping the merchandise booth stocked, and answering questions from those attending.
The Impact of Showing Up
Even at the end of the day though, Kevin was in high spirits from the times he spent with other volunteers. “I just want to thank Motorcycle Missions for this amazing opportunity. As a first responder there aren't a lot of things to do, for first responders to take their mind off of things, and I definitely appreciate Motorcycle Missions for what they do".
Why Volunteers Matter
But of course, without volunteers like Kevin, Motorcycle Missions couldn't do what it does. There's something truly gratifying, knowing that the act of helping can be of so much personal benefit, and it just goes to show that community can't be packaged and sold, but it can be nurtured and cultivated.
