Bikers Rev Their Engines for Romeoville Humane Society

Hitting the highway on a purring two-wheeled machine is what Mike and Minerva Mayer’s long-haired dachshund seems to like best.

The little guy sat strapped in on Minerva’s lap in the passenger seat Sunday morning while Mike took the wheel, ready to journey with several dozen like-minded motorcyclists on the Romeoville Humane Society’s first-ever poker run fundraiser.

“He rides all the time. He’s got about 20,000 miles under his collar,” said Mike Mayer, referring to the Shorewood couple’s canine companion. “He loves it. He loves being with us, for the most part.”

Mayer said the dog, appropriately named Harry Weiner, even has riding goggles to keep the wind out of his eyes.

Harry was the only dog actually on the trip that took bikers from in Romeoville to several destinations at points south, including Manhattan, South Wilmington and Elwood before the group headed back to Stella’s.

At each stop, said Romeoville Humane Society President Jill Aikin, riders would draw gumballs from a pot. The colors of the gumballs corresponded to playing cards, thereby establishing each rider’s poker hand for the day.

Winners of the poker game were awarded prizes, all donated by area merchants. The event also included a 50/50 raffle wherein the winner of a random drawing split the pot with the humane society.

All proceeds, Aikin said, benefit the humane society. She estimated the society would bring in a net gain of about $2,000 from the event.

“Every dollar goes to them, like that one right there,” she said, pointing to a dog named Peaches sitting near the entrance to Stella’s.

Holding the dog’s leash, Pete Morris of Lockport said Peaches is girlfriend Melissa Johnson’s foster pet. Though Johnson wasn’t able to attend, Morris said he was happy to stop by and show off Peaches’ fine attributes.

“I like her and I want to see somebody take care of her,” he said.

Outside, as more motorcycles arrived, Carl Groth of Lockport and Mike Moore of Romeoville chatted with fellow members of what they described as a “loose-knit” motorcycle club, the Romeoville Wild Hogs.

“It’s a good day out and kind of a medium-length run,” said Moore of the 125-mile trek he and his friends were about to take.

Groth said the group has participated in similar charity events for other organizations. This one, though, had special meaning for him, a beagle-owner and for Moore, who has a coon hound and a yellow Labrador retriever.

“We’re all animal lovers, too, so that helps,” said Groth.

Biker Joe Campagna of Aurora said he and his wife provide foster care for several animals.

“A lot of the time they were abandoned or they were removed from their owner because they weren’t taking care of them,” he said.

Cindy Nunn, who works with a Motorcycle Safety Education Program presented through Illinois State University, was there with her husband, Dave. The Shorewood riders said they were there to support the humane society and Aikin.

“I grew up with her, lived next door to her,” said Cindy Nunn.

Nunn said she and her husband have two boxers.

“They’re like kids. They never grow up,” she said, as the pair headed off to get their Harley Street Glide ready for the first leg of the trip.

For more information or to donate to the humane society, visit www.romeovillehumanesociety.org.