MAY JUNE 2017

Bikers in Blue
Autism Speaks
On April 15 th , bikers joined at PJ Dolan’s
Irish Pub and Grille in Tampa to bring
awareness and raise funds for Autism
Speaks.
It didn’t matter if you didn’t have a
motorcycle, you could follow the run in
cars, jeeps, trucks, vans, limousines and
even scooters. Everyone was welcomed
to take part and also to enjoy the live
music and festivities.
Our reporter for the day, Pam Wills, met
with many of the supporters, the
musicians and learned more about this
cause. Dave “Flash” Morgan from Tampa
Bay’s Q105 FM was there along with the
Krewe of Blackbeard’s Revenge and many
of his biker brothers and sisters. “We have
several folks in our crew that have autistic
kids or grandkids, so we do this every
year. Last year’s event was very successful.
This year, we have a nice poker run
planned today that will cover three or four
counties.”
Dave Morgan explained that he is part of
the Krewe of Blackbeard’s Revenge as he
proudly calls himself the Krewe’s DJ. “We
do a lot of fundraising and events for
autism, breast cancer, helping the
homeless and more. It’s always about
giving back,” he says, “Our motto is
‘Always pay it forward’”.
Pam Palmer, who is involved with KBR,
which is a group of pirates that come out
in swarms to help raise big money for
charities, was there selling raffle items.
“The raffle baskets are each worth at least
fifty dollars and they were put together
by the people in the Krewe.” Pam wants
everyone to donate to your favorite
charities. “We need to help one another,”
she says, “We are big brothers and big
sisters!”
Jackie McLeish, of Florida Autism Center,
was there to represent the new center that
is opening across from USF in Tampa. “We
are a center-based behavior analysis. We
focus on early intervention, social skills,
communication, toilet training and
basically anything you want your child to
14 BUZZ Magazine May-June 2017