A bit of Pre-History
From the inception of our Jesters Motorcycle Club Thailand
in late ’96, until the summer of ’98, we were
a group of Harley Davidson enthusiasts meeting weekly,
going for rides around the country, and enjoying the camaraderie
of each other. In-between these activities, we would also
do regular functions with the kids from Banglamung Boys
Home and had just recently contributed a pick-up truck
full of useful articles to the Home of the Aged, also
in Banglamung. We realized besides riding bikes and having
fun, that charity was also a part of our agenda.
In the meantime, the Pattaya Mail
kept track of our activities, constantly giving us good
press. And this is how Alice Poulsen found out about
us.
Alice, the
Instigator
Alice, who had been volunteering her services at the
Fountain of Life Center in north Pattaya, an institute
for caring and educating the children from broken homes
in the slums. Recognizing the fact that the Center really
needed additional funding and help as well, she approached
the Jesters, and told us of her aspirations.
Finally
a Target Charity
When we rode over and saw the Center for the first time
and met Sister Michelle, we looked at each other and
realized that this is what we are looking for: a target
charity for the club.
The Center's
Needs
We talked with the Sisters about their needs and they
demurred, stating that they needed only some rice and
other meager provisions. When we pressed them more,
they added that they might need a rice cooker and some
fans. Eventually, after giving the premises a real scrutiny,
we realized that besides needing lots of fans and rations
that some extensive renovation was also required, as
well as a new roof over the kitchen, and some more classroom
space. And that was just for starters.
We also recognized that the Center
needed another van for transporting the kids back and
forth, and we just happened to have one that we were
willing to donate. However, it became apparent that
this project was bigger than we first perceived and
that we were going to need some outside help.
Pub Involvement
Retiring to Shenanigan’s (then Delaney’s)
to quaff some Guinness after our inspection tour, Kim
Fletcher got into the brainstorming and before we knew
it, the idea for a proper charity drive was born. We
decided to stage the event exactly where we were sitting
and bill it as a Pub Night with raffles and auctions.
First Sponsor
Niel Poulsen , Alice’s husband, jumped on board
and offered to be our Platinum Sponsor, by donating
100,000 Baht on behalf of Chonburi Siam Steel Mill Services,
and off we were with our whirlwind planning for the
first Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive in 1998.
The Birth
of the Fair Day
Since then we have included a second event in our charity
drive: the popular Children’s Fair and have raised
a total of 4.6 million Baht for the Fountain of Life
and their multitude of projects benefiting the unfortunate
children thanks to the generous people of Pattaya and
the surrounding business community.
We have started in earnest
in the planning of this year’s charity drive and
would love to have your continued support. Charity has
now become the Jesters foremost priority. Please check
out our website for all details of past and present
charity drives: http://www.care4kids.info
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