A Bikers' Club Rides for Mason Batz

Santa doesn’t just ride with reindeers anymore.

At least earlier this month he didn‘t - as anyone who was on hand along the route between West Hoffman Avenue in Lindenhurst and the local firehouse on 39th Street and New York Avenue around 11:30 a.m. on could tell you.

To the delight of young , son and grandson of two Lindenhurst Fire Department chiefs, jolly old Saint Nick did a short run along those roads on the back of a Harley, with the and a firetruck leading the way.

Why? To provide the seven-year old Lindenhurst boy, who's battling cancer, a special moment during the holiday season.

It seemed that for one day Santa put aside his sleigh bells and reindeer reins to help the law-enforcement based club and friends to the firehouse as a surprise for Mason.

“We just wanted to get together and bring toys to him,” said Bruce Mitchell, road captain of the club, which is headquartered at 300 West Hoffman. "We wanted to make this Christmas a good one for him. We put this together really quickly - people donated toys, we wrapped them up and now we‘ve delivered them to the firehouse.”

The Chosen Souls Motorcycle Club is a 10-year old organization that does all sorts of benefit activities through the year, notes Bobby, a founder of the local chapter of the club.

“We’ve donated to PAL, and supported softball and little league,” he said. “It’s important for us to help people in the community in Lindenhurst. And we’ve supported the orphans fund for the NYPD, too.”

Its 20 members, including three from Long Island, are dedicated to safe motorcycle riding, helping L.E., firefighters, military veterans and their families who might be in need.

Part of the nationwide club’s organizational structure is "Chosen Charities," whose purpose is focused: “to make the life of those facing medical and physical adversities a little less painful.”

So for one day, the Chosen Souls - wearing their signature skulls, skeletons and black leather with orange lettering - packed up gaily wrapped presents and rode with Santa to the firehouse to bring Mason a little holiday cheer.

They were accompanied by members of the Forsaken Guns Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club of Baldwin, and led by a LFD engine.

It wasn't the first local effort on behalf of Mason. A Mission for Mason Fund has been created earlier this year, whose address is . In September of this year volunteers washed approximately 250 cars and raised around $3,000 toward the young man's medical expenses, at a car wash at Pep Boys on Sunrise Highway in Lindenhurst.

And last month at Firemen's Pavilion in Lindenhurst a benefit gala was held for Mason. Hundreds attended the fundraiser, which featured a Chinese auction with more than 300 donated gift baskets from friends, families and local businesses.

This time around, just in time for the holidays, it was Chosen Souls' turn to give back and lift the Batz family's spirits.

It was very apparent the Club accomplished that as Mason raced out of the 39th Street firehouse at the sound of motorcycles arriving on that Sunday afternoon.

And Mason’s grandfather Henry Batz, a 40-year veteran of the LFD, called the club's visit “a big lift for the family."

It’s a "morale thing,” continued the two-time LFD chief, who shaved off his signature handlebar moustache earlier this year as part of a fundraising drive that raised $1,800 towards his grandson’s medical treatment. “It’s a boost for our hearts.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the Mission for Mason Fund could send donations to Chemical and Salvage Company Number 2  of the Lindenhurst Fire Department, c/o Mason Batz.

And take a peek at the photo highlights of the ride.

Editor's Note: If also you're seeking other ways to give back this holiday season, check the for opportunities to give back, and the column - along with the weekly roundup - for a look at celebrating the holidays in Lindenhurst, plus a look at other pertinent information residents need to know this season.

In addition, if you're having or know of an event or fundraiser this holiday season, then please e-mail barbara.loehr@patch.com and/or post it in events on Lindenhurst Patch.