Fifteen motorcylists braved the inclement May weather Sunday to receive blessings during the 4th annual bike blessing hosted by Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral member Tommy Papadopoulos at Merrillville’s American Legion Post 430.
“As long as you have the right gear, it’s not cold at all,” said Mike Austin, of Merrillville, whose son, Mike Austin Jr., rode with him. “And with it being an escorted ride (by the Lake County Sheriff’s police), (drivers) stayed out of our way. It was great.”
The lighter turnout for the normally sizeable ride didn’t faze Papadopoulos, who ran the auction and mingled with attendees without a care in the world. He said he and the church had been raising money toward the effort prior to the event.
“We’re thankful. The weather might not have been ideal, but people who didn’t come with their cycles came with their cars,” he said. “There are plenty of things here for people to bid on, so we’re doing fine.”
A live auction for a gas-powered go cart at a later date, for example, is expected to raise $4,000, Papadopoulos said.
“We’re going to be giving money to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis and various veteran causes, and that’s the important thing,” Papadopoulos said. “I love this and will continue to do it next year.”
What the blessing didn’t see in numbers, it made up for in heart via the riders. Members of American Veteran Motorcycle Riders Association Chapter 14 came out in force for the event.
“Usually, if there’s a cause, the biker community comes out for it,” said Terri Fowler, the post’s chaplain. “We do events like the Dream Ride, which helps kids whose parents are incarcerated and really any event involving veterans.
“Biking and charitable causes are our religion.”
They also come out because Papadopoulos can be a force of nature on his own.
“Tommy scares me. I just do what he says,” added AVMRA Chapter 14 Ride Coordinator Tammy Tarulis, half-jokingly.
Last year, the event raised $8,000.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
