We Love Laconia Motorcycle Week
Donation protected
Hi . . . Paul W. Cote here from Check Twice for Motorcycles, Boston Biker and as someone who has worked with the Bikers Helping Bikers charities for over 20+ years, and being a Brother, a friend and Rally Patron of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association for decades . . . after seeing the news about the fire at their headquarters, . . . we all want to do something to help because that what’s OUR motorcycle community does – we STAND UP for each other and help those in times of need. Now is the time. . .
After speaking with the directors of the Association, we know the actual losses are well over hundreds of thousands of dollars; insurance coverage won’t come close to touching even a fraction of that, but hopefully through our collective efforts, we can all help in some way.
With their blessing and coordination, this GoFundMe page is the official source to help them rebuild and we ask for your help.
All funds donated will be used to cover the extensive cost of fire clean-up (currently estimated close to $40K!) and replacing items lost from general operations and historic memorabilia. The Laconia Motorcycle Week Association will have direct and sole access to donated funds.
No donation is too small. Lot of us doing even a little, will add up and help rebuild and restore. If you’re able to give even a little, thank you! If you have memorabilia to donate, please contact Charlie St. Clair directly. Please copy this link and share with your riding friends. If you prefer, you can issue a check payable to LMWA and mail to PO Box 5399 Laconia, NH 03247 and put "Friends of MC Week- Rebuild Fund" in your memo.
The Laconia Motorcycle Week Association is a State of NH nonprofit association with a Board of Directors. The Directors have secured an off-site, heated storage unit, for any salvageable items, and any memorabilia you can donate. Thank YOU!
Here is the original post from Laconia MC Week Facebook page:
It is with heavy hearts that we share the following… On Christmas morning, our MC Week office suffered a catastrophic fire – it was a total loss. We are grateful to the Laconia Fire Department and surrounding towns for their assistance and thankful that no one was seriously injured. Sadly, we lost our beloved office cat, Ashland, in the fire in addition to collectables and souvenirs spanning the history of Laconia Motorcycle Week’s 97-year legacy. The majority of what has been lost can never be replaced, including 100 years of photos, periodicals, posters, trophies, plagues, books, and many written records; historical archives that have been over 50-years in the making. Although we do have insurance coverage, it covers barely a fraction of the loss. Souvenir sales to rally friends throughout the world have been a significant source of our revenue each year and we know people treasure the vintage merchandise as well as the memorabilia that comes hot off the presses; anything that can be salvaged will be. We will work hard to rebuild as we move into 2021 and we’re sure we can all agree that 2020 can kindly see its way out!
Please watch for updates and we will let you know as soon as possible when we can reopen our office and online sales.
A few words in memory of Ashland…. Charlie rescued Ashland in 2006 following a firework’s show he had done for the Town of Ashland’s July 4th Celebration. It appeared from the holes on either side of this tiny kitten that an owl (or something similar) may have tried to take him away as a snack. Ashland escaped and appeared to the fireworks crew that night and was happily appointed Motorcycle Week office mascot! Ashland loved greeting visitors and ‘helping’ with work tasks, which mainly involved sleeping on the desk or on an available lap. He also loved his best friend, Paugus, our other office kitty; rescued from outside our office on a very cold winter’s day in 2008. Paugus passed away in his sleep this past fall after battling cancer. Together, this mighty duo helped supervise all tasks and provided laughter and comfort in times of stress. Both are sorely missed.
After speaking with the directors of the Association, we know the actual losses are well over hundreds of thousands of dollars; insurance coverage won’t come close to touching even a fraction of that, but hopefully through our collective efforts, we can all help in some way.
With their blessing and coordination, this GoFundMe page is the official source to help them rebuild and we ask for your help.
All funds donated will be used to cover the extensive cost of fire clean-up (currently estimated close to $40K!) and replacing items lost from general operations and historic memorabilia. The Laconia Motorcycle Week Association will have direct and sole access to donated funds.
No donation is too small. Lot of us doing even a little, will add up and help rebuild and restore. If you’re able to give even a little, thank you! If you have memorabilia to donate, please contact Charlie St. Clair directly. Please copy this link and share with your riding friends. If you prefer, you can issue a check payable to LMWA and mail to PO Box 5399 Laconia, NH 03247 and put "Friends of MC Week- Rebuild Fund" in your memo.
The Laconia Motorcycle Week Association is a State of NH nonprofit association with a Board of Directors. The Directors have secured an off-site, heated storage unit, for any salvageable items, and any memorabilia you can donate. Thank YOU!
Here is the original post from Laconia MC Week Facebook page:
It is with heavy hearts that we share the following… On Christmas morning, our MC Week office suffered a catastrophic fire – it was a total loss. We are grateful to the Laconia Fire Department and surrounding towns for their assistance and thankful that no one was seriously injured. Sadly, we lost our beloved office cat, Ashland, in the fire in addition to collectables and souvenirs spanning the history of Laconia Motorcycle Week’s 97-year legacy. The majority of what has been lost can never be replaced, including 100 years of photos, periodicals, posters, trophies, plagues, books, and many written records; historical archives that have been over 50-years in the making. Although we do have insurance coverage, it covers barely a fraction of the loss. Souvenir sales to rally friends throughout the world have been a significant source of our revenue each year and we know people treasure the vintage merchandise as well as the memorabilia that comes hot off the presses; anything that can be salvaged will be. We will work hard to rebuild as we move into 2021 and we’re sure we can all agree that 2020 can kindly see its way out!
Please watch for updates and we will let you know as soon as possible when we can reopen our office and online sales.
A few words in memory of Ashland…. Charlie rescued Ashland in 2006 following a firework’s show he had done for the Town of Ashland’s July 4th Celebration. It appeared from the holes on either side of this tiny kitten that an owl (or something similar) may have tried to take him away as a snack. Ashland escaped and appeared to the fireworks crew that night and was happily appointed Motorcycle Week office mascot! Ashland loved greeting visitors and ‘helping’ with work tasks, which mainly involved sleeping on the desk or on an available lap. He also loved his best friend, Paugus, our other office kitty; rescued from outside our office on a very cold winter’s day in 2008. Paugus passed away in his sleep this past fall after battling cancer. Together, this mighty duo helped supervise all tasks and provided laughter and comfort in times of stress. Both are sorely missed.
Organizer
Friends of Laconia Motorcycle Week
Organizer
Laconia, NH