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Law enforcement and motorcycles = Christmas cheer
Nevada Daily Mail
Detective David Johnson of the Vernon County Sheriff's Department says people often think negatively of people in motorcycle groups, considering them dangerous or untrustworthy, but Johnson and other members of the sheriff's department and Nevada Police Department want them to reconsider that stereotype when it comes to their law enforcement motorcycle club.
In April, the Sacred Sons Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club of Vernon County joined four other charter motorcycle clubs in Missouri and Oklahoma made up of members of law enforcement agencies, first response teams or veterans.
"We like to ride and we wanted to help the community," Johnson said of when they decided to form the charter club.
Though the newest charter of the five charters making up the organization known as Itus Virtus -- Greek for protector of city and the god of military, connected with strength, honor and loyalty -- and still a small charter with five members, Johnson, president of the club, and Josh Mullin of the sheriff's department and vice president of the club, say they look forward to future growth as they continue to serve Vernon County.
"We're trying to do big things," Mullin said.
With that goal in mind, the Sacred Sons helped, through donations from local businesses and individuals, a family in Vernon County prepare for Thanksgiving by providing food and also a cooking stove when they heard the family had no way to cook the food.
The Sacred Sons will serve the community further through a toy drive Sunday, Nov. 30, 10 am to 4 pm at Family Video in Nevada, where they will accept donations of money, food and new or gently used toys. Family Video will also give coupons for free movie rentals to those that donate and participate.
The donations the Sacred Sons receive will be distributed to families in need.
"We'd like to give people a good Christmas," Johnson said.
Already the Sacred Sons have gathered a list of families in Vernon County that would benefit greatly from such donations. Johnson says how many on that list they help will depend on the amount of donations they receive.
"We have a really big desire to help the county as much as we can," Mullin said.
As their numbers grow -- Johnson says other law enforcement officers have shown interest in joining the motorcycle club -- and word of their efforts spreads, Johnson said they hope to continue providing for families throughout the year, whether with donations or manual labor where needed. They also plan to hold rides and other events in the future to help raise funds for the services they perform.
Because of the nature of their jobs, the Sacred Sons often come in contact with people in crisis situations that may put them at odds with the law enforcement officers. Johnson said the motorcycle club gives them an opportunity to serve the community through more positive circumstances.
Businesses and individuals interested in supporting the Sacred Sons can contact Johnson at the sheriff's department.