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Motorcycle club looks to give back

Dec 11, 2009

 — A new Laurel motorcycle group will be spreading the Christmas spirit this year.
The Miles Per Hour Motorcycle Club, which launched a Laurel chapter a few months ago, will host a Toys-for-Tots drive Saturday in conjunction with the Sertoma Christmas Parade.
Michael Dotson, president of the Laurel chapter, said he remembers when children could obtain a bicycle from the Laurel Fire Department and wants to return to those days.
“Our mission is to give back to our community and promote a positive image of motorcycle riders,” Dotson said of the Miles Per Hour Motorcycle Club (MPH), which currently total about 11 members. “We also want to get the public more aware of motorcycles and offer training to riders who haven’t had any real training. We want to do whatever we can for our community.”
Dotson noted that the club would be participating in this year’s Christmas parade prior to collecting toys at Laurel Ford, located at 2018 Highway 15 N. The dealership will be the drop off point for the toy drive from Dec. 5 through 12. Toys can be donated between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
“There’s no set toy that you have to donate, but what kid wouldn’t like a bicycle,” Dotson said. “Of course, not everybody can buy a bicycle. We’re asking people to dig a little deeper and do what they can.”
MPH is partnering with the Laurel Fire Department in the effort. Dotson noted that the fire department would be working with the Salvation Army, American Red Cross and other groups to pass along the toys.
Dotson, who said he’s been riding motorcycles since his teenage years, said he is looking to change the reputation riders often get.
“A lot of times sport bikes get a bad rep because people get out and clown on them,” he said. “Our club has street rules and guidelines that we go by. In the parade, we’ll be dressed in uniform and ride sensibly. We won’t be doing any burnouts or anything to endanger anybody.”
Dotson said he will work hard to make sure the Miles Per Hour Motorcycle Club has a positive image in Laurel.
“We’ll also be adopting less fortunate families and schools,” he said. “We want to help with mentoring in the school system.”
Dwight Payton, MPH national president, said the Laurel chapter will be doing community efforts similar to what has been done in Jackson over the past few years.
“We’re not like a lot of typical motorcycle clubs because we focus on the community,” he said. “We’re interested in giving back anyway that we can. We want to be a positive influence to kids in the community.”
Payton noted that the Toys-for-Tots program has been successful in the Jackson area, and he believes that can be passed on here.
“We’ve given away over 200 bicycles over the last two years,” he said. “We adopt a school every year and adopt families every year. We want to show that there are some good people still on these motorcycles.”
Payton said the members of the Miles Per Hour Motorcycle Club were like a “band of brothers.”
“We’re like a family,” he said. “The Christmas parade will be the first time people in the Pine Belt area see us, but here in the Jackson area, people know us. We do what we can to give back. The Lord has blessed us and we want to do whatever we can to bless somebody else.”

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