Motorcycle club rides benefit Red Cross Published July 20, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. William Farrow 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs EIELSON, AFB, Alaska -- The recently-formed Eielson chapter of the Green Knights Motorcycle Club recently raised $3,687 for the American Red Cross of Alaska Saturday. The Eielson chapter roared across Interior Alaska in its first event, the 58-mile Ride for Red. Founded in 2000 at McGuire Air Force Base, N. J., the GKMC now has 37 chapters nationwide with each club chartered to educate non-riders about motorcycles, enhance the safety of all motorcyclists, mentor young riders and work with the other chapters to improve safety and protect the rights of motorcyclists. There are currently 29 members in Eielson's Chapter 35 and anyone associated with the Department of Defense is eligible to join. The club doesn't charge dues or fees and other than payments to participate in the Ride for Red, the club hasn't actively been raising funds. "But if we do in the future, all the money will be donated to a charity," said Master Sgt. Barry Hayes, Chapter 35's Sergeant at Arms. The club rides every other Thursday evening and they occasionally meet for Saturday rides, said Sergeant Hayes. "We have an executive meeting on the other Thursday evenings that we don't have rides," he said. Currently club officers are Capt. Patrick Genseal, president; Tech. Sgt. Robert Petty, vice president; and Ms. Julene Abrams, secretary. As membership grows in the club, Sergeant Hayes said the club's goals for the immediate future include working with the 354th Fighter Wing safety office and 354th Security Forces Squadron to make riding safer and more enjoyable and to teach young riders the skills needed to safely ride their motorcycles. "And, of course, we want to get out and enjoy the Alaska's summer riding season," he said.