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| Stray Dawgs Motorcycle Club members Roger “Papa Korn” Campbell (left) and Dave “Blue Max” Gregory bag carrots at HELP House. |
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| Logos decorate the Stray Dawgs’ vests. |
When someone says “motorcycle club,” what comes to mind? For some, it’s a loud, leather-clad gang of rowdy no-goods.
The new Straw Dawgs Motorcycle Club in London defies the stereotype.
“None of us are like that. We wanted to get our kids and families involved and do something for the community,” said Gregg Yerian, president of the club, which he and three other motorcyclists started in July.
Now more than 27 members strong, the family-friendly Stray Dawgs are having a positive effect on London. This fall, they organized a poker run and dinner to raise money for back-to-school supplies for students who participate in activities at the Armory Youth Center. In October, they bagged groceries and cleaned the warehouse at HELP House, to which they returned in November to help with a Thanksgiving meal giveaway.
This month, the group has already spread holiday cheer by hosting Santa Claus at London’s Old Fashioned Christ-mas. They are collecting toys and holding a broomstick tournament to raise money, all for local toy drives. Through the Ohio Adopt-A-Highway program, they recently signed up to clean trash four times a year at two locations in London: along Route 56 in front of the bowling alley and prison and along Route 42 between Deger Drive and Roberts Mill Road.
The Stray Dawgs complement their civic side with cycling fun.
“We have gone to other motor-cycle club events, like hog roasts down south and fish fries in north Columbus,” Yerian said.
The club’s members ride all sorts of bikes, from Kawasaki and Suzukis to Hondas and Harleys. Yerian himself has been a motorcycle fan since he was 10 when his stepfather, Roger Burt, introduced him to the thrill of the “air in your hair” and the “sound of the engine.” Yerian owns a Harley.
Some members of the Stray Dawgs don’t ride bikes at all; instead, they carry chil-dren, food and grills to club outings via four-wheel transportation.
“We don’t turn you away just because you don’t have a bike right now,” Yerian said.
In addition to Yerian, the club’s officers are: Butch Scott, vice president; Billy Fuller, business manager; Trey Wright, enforcer; Rocky Greg-ory, sergeant at arms; Catherine Yerian, secretary; Michelle Fuller, treasurer; Roger Burt, road captain, and Rick Lowery, chief executive.
For information on becoming a Stray Dawg, call Gregg Yerian at 740-571-3162.
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| The whole club takes a break from helping out to smile for the camera. |
