Urban Views Weekly profiles ChildSavers and AJ Starke, the man behind today’s massive motorcycle ride to Chimborazo Park:

Credit the vision of one Chesterfield native, AJ Starke. Starke, a Chesterfield County Police Lieutenant, founded The Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club of Virginia in May 2006 and not long after, made a cold call to ChildSavers with his idea for the Ride for Children.

“When people hear ‘Tuskegee Airman,’ they think about the pilots,” Starke says. “What we have learned through history is that was a time when people came together. There was the ground crew. There were the people who worked in the office. It was a time when segregation came to an end and people realized that when we come together, we can get more done for our community.”

Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club Ride for ChildSavers Route

• 7201 Midlothian Turnpike, the Cloverleaf Mall Lot – Departure 9:30 am
• East on Midlothian Tnpk, Left on Hull Street Rd.
• Right on Jefferson Davis Hwy, Left on Harwood St.
• Hillside Housing Community – Arrive 9:55 am
• Cross the Mayo Bridge
• Gilpin Housing Community – Arrive 10:10 am
• Whitcomb Housing Community – Arrive 10:17 am
• Mosby Housing Community – Arrive 10:20 am
• End at Chimborazo Park, 3300 E. Broad St. – Arrive 10:30-10:45 am

Friends of Libby Hill Park

Tue Jun 1 7:00 pm
Every 1st Tues, location varies – Contact Marion Macdonald at MacMarion@aol.com or (804)644-1347 for more info.

Open Mic @ Poe’s

Tue Jun 1 8:15 pm
Weekly Open Mic every Tuesday at Poe’s Pub, hosted by Jim Daab. Sign up at 8:15, music at 9PM

Veggie Bus

Tue Jun 1 10:00 am / Wed Jun 2 11:00 am
The veggie bus will be parked at 25th and Broad on Tuesdays from 10AM untill 2:30PM and then the NRC on Williamsburg Road in Fulton from 3PM until 6PM, and on Wednesdays at 25th and Broad again from 11am till 7pm starting Jan 6th.

We will always be at Libby Hill Park each Thursday from 4-6pm for our CSA drop off.

We have collards kale creasy greens apples potatoes winter squash sausage BBQ chicken eggs milk cheese butter yogurt cider maple syrup apple butterand more so come support local farmers and get healthy goods, too.

You can always call us at (540)872-6528 if you have questions or want to find us. Follow us on facebook or check out our web site http://farmtofamilyonline.com

Adult Computer Class

Wed Jun 2 10:00 am
At the East End Library – Meet the Mouse. Very basic instruction for the complete novice who doesn’t like computers, has to learn to use one, and is ready to have some fun. Class size is limited. First come, first serve.

Beginner’s Yoga

Wed Jun 2 7:00 pm
@ Neighborhood Resource Center – 1519 Williamsburg Road – Relax, renew and do something great for the community! All proceeds benefit the Neighborhood Resource Center. Suggested $10 donation. Call (804)864-5797 or visit www.nrccafe.org for more information.

East End Charrette Opening Presentation

Wed Jun 2 5:00 pm
@ the Robinson Theater

East End Charrette Studio Open House

Thu Jun 3 6:00 pm
@Family Resource Center

2010 Church Hill Games

Sat Jun 5 9:00 am

http://blueskyfund.org/

East End Charrette Public Pin-up and Youth Charrette

Sat Jun 5 11:00 am
@Family Resource Center

It’s About You Health and Wellness Community Fair

Sat Jun 5 10:00 am
“There will be many activities for our youth, and matured youth while providing informative info and services to promote and continue health and activity.” MORE: http://www.itsaboutyou2010.org/

New Vision Civic League

Sat Jun 5 11:00 am
Every 1st Saturday at the East End Library. Contact Mary Thompson at (804)648-7915 for more info.

Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club of Virginia Fifth Annual Ride for ChildSavers

Sat Jun 5 9:30 am
ChildSavers and the Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club of Virginia have partnered to sponsor the Fifth Annual Ride for ChildSavers. Open registration & staging will be 7-9 a.m. at Cloverleaf Mall. 500+ motorcyclists will depart at 9:30AM and ride through the city, arriving at Chimborazo Park at 11AM (located atop historic Church Hill). More info – tuskegeeairmenmc@comcast.net or 804-901-0606.

Cedar Street Baptist Church of God recognizes first responders

Sun Jun 6 7:45 am
The Cedar Street Baptist Church of God is giving special recognition to our first responders. We invite you to come and be a part of this recognition and appreciation day for our Firefighters, Law Enforcement Officers, EMTs, and Volunteers.

Our worship services are at 7:45 and 10:45. Please come out and show your support for the people that serve our community in an ongoing day to day commitment to make sure that we are safe and secure. So often we take our first responders for granted because we don’t stop to think about the sacrifice that they make for each of us every day. This is just our way of saying THANK YOU for all that they do for our community…

The Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club of Virginia‘s Fourth Annual Ride for ChildSavers brought hundred of motorcycles through the area today, winding down Mosby to Venable to 25th and Broad Streets to end up at Chimborazo Park.

More photos of the bikes from around the neighborhood….

The Fourth Annual Ride for ChildSavers, an event that has drawn hundreds of motorcyclists in past years, is this Saturday. Look for the parade to arrive at Chimborazo Park at 11AM.

(Richmond, VA) – ChildSavers, Central Virginia’s premier community-based mental health provider for children, is partnering with the Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club of Virginia to sponsor the Fourth Annual Ride for ChildSavers on May 30, 2009. Open registration and staging will be between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. at Cloverleaf Mall, 7201 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, Va. The motorcyclists will depart from Cloverleaf Mall at 10:00a.m. and ride through the city with a police escort, arriving at Chimborazo Park at 11:00a.m. (located atop historic Church Hill at 32nd Street to 36th Street & Marshall Street). So far, 39 Motorcycle Clubs have registered to participate! Individual riders are welcome. Generous support has been given from Cedar Street Baptist Church

Richmond Police Chief Brian Norwood will be riding his motorcycle along with an estimated 500 riders. Keynote speaker will be Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones

The Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club of Virginia was founded in May 2006 and has 24 members whose mission is to assist with maintaining the legacy of the original Tuskegee Airmen heroes from WWII, and to be a positive entity in our community by nurturing families, promoting academic performance, building community awareness, participating in fundraising activities, and supporting various charities within our communities.

ChildSavers: Founded in 1924, ChildSavers has 36 staff members, including a board-certified child psychiatrist, master’s-level clinicians, and childhood development specialists who provide outpatient mental health treatment and education/training services for children in need, their families, and childcare providers throughout the Richmond metropolitan area. These professional services help to strengthen the spirit, skills, and confidence of children and families. ChildSavers is licensed by the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services, is a member of the Child Welfare League of America, and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation.

The video is from this morning as the riders passed P Street at Mosby Street. Check out a photo set from last year’s ride.

ChildSavers of Richmond/Memorial Child Guidance Clinic (MCGC) is partnering with the Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club of Virginia to sponsor the Third Annual Ride for ChildSavers on Saturday, May 31. This benefit to help ChildSavers bring hope and healing to Richmond’s children will roll through Whitcomb at about 10:45AM, to Mosby at about 10:50AM, then to Venable to 25th Street to Broad Street and will end at Chimborazo Park at about 11:00AM. Check out a photo set from last year’s ride.

2008 Sponsors for ChildSavers
Bloodline Ryderz M/C
Boys II Men M/C
Brotherz N Armz M/C
Buffalo Soldiers M/C (Hampton Roads, VA)
Buffalo Soldiers M/C of VA (Mother Chapter)
Buffalo Soldiers M/C (Northern VA)
Built 2 Last M/C
Capital City Riders M/C
Capital Rydaz
Chesapeake Riders M/C
Cobra One M/C
Enemies of The Street M/C
Flaming Knights (San Diego, CA)
JOY Riders M/C (Kingston, NC)
Lady Unity Rydaz M/C
Magestic Jewels M/C
Nubian Kruzers United M/C
Out of Site M/C
Pharaoh Souls M/C
Richmond Rydaz Inc.
Rope ‘N Ride M/C
Ruff Ryders M/C
Star Cruisers M/C
The Ladies of Elegance S/C
Tuskegee Airmen M/C (Boston, MA)
Tuskegee Airmen M/C (Georgia)
Tuskegee Airmen M/C (Virginia)
Union Riders M/C

Photo at top by Clay Blancett.

From the ChildSavers events page:

ChildSavers of Richmond/Memorial Child Guidance Clinic (MCGC) is partnering with the Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club of Virginia to sponsor the Second Annual Ride for ChildSavers on Saturday, June 2, 2007.  This event is a benefit to help ChildSavers bring hope and healing to Richmond’s children.

“We chose ChildSavers of Richmond because of the important services they provide to the children in our community and we see these children as our future,” says A.J. Starke, president and founder of the Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club of Virginia.  “This is an opportunity for motorcycle clubs to join together and show the community that we are more than just motorcycle riders. Although we wear different ‘colors’ on our vests, motorcycle clubs are committed to working together to enrich the lives of children in our community.”

During the First Annual Ride for ChildSavers on September 16, 2006, more than 170 motorcycles, escorted by Richmond City Police, wound their way through the city honking their horns, passing out candy and Tuskegee Airmen coloring books to children along the route.  Participating clubs included Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club of Virginia, Buffalo Soldiers of Virginia, Buffalo Soldiers of Richmond, Bloodline Rydaz, Cobra One, Pharoah Souls, Hard on The Throttle, Majestic Jewels, Supreme Ladies, My Brothers Keepers, Tuskegee Airmen of Boston, The Ladies of Elegance Social Club,  and the Nubian Kruzers United. The procession was led by keynote speakers Colonel Howard Baugh and Chief Grant Williams, both members of the original Tuskegee Airmen, the first group of African American Fighter Pilots in World War II.

Please join us for this year’s exciting event on June 2, 2007!  Further event details will appear on this page as they become available. Volunteers are needed to register the bikers at the beginning of the ride, and to host the riders and the public at the events at the culmination of the ride. Contact Cynthia Bedell, Development Coordinator at 644-9590 ext. 3007 or cbedell@childsavers.org.

About the Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club

The Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club of Virginia was founded in April 2006 and has 15 members whose mission is to assist with maintaining the legacy of the original Tuskegee Airmen heroes from WW II, and to be a positive entity in our community by nurturing families, promoting academic performance, building community awareness, participating in fund raising activities and supporting various charities within our communities.

For more information, contact A.J. “J-LAW” Starke, president and founder of the Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club of Virginia, at 304-9523.