You could hear the rumble as 15 motorcycles rode into the David Simpson Hospice House parking lot on Thursday evening. Resident Donald Dukes had the opportunity to experience an evening full of motorcycles, and he was able to see his own motorcycle one more time.
A friend brought the bike and drove it by as he and his family stood outside. Hospitality Services Team Leader Steve DiMare then stopped with his own 50-year-old beautifully restored Honda, the same model as Donald’s first motorcycle, and got to share it with Donald and family. Donald has owned a few others, including a Harley Davidson motorcycle. When Donald’s team heard his request to see a motorcycle, they reached out to the Mentor Harley Davidson dealership with a question: could they send a motorcycle out for Donald to see?
Megan Anderson at the dealership contacted the Dirty Bones Motorcycle Club and more than one motorcycle rider answered the call.
At 7 p.m., 15 members of the Dirty Bones roared into the west wing parking lot. Donald and his family were able to talk shop with them and walk around the lineup of shiny bikes and friendly bikers. They did a few “burn outs,” revved their engines, and circled the parking lot a few times to the delight of three generations of Donald’s family.
Donald waved his hand ever so slightly, and his family exchanged tearful thank-yous with the bikers. Donald’s daughter said, “He was a really good dad. I am so happy we are together for this evening. We will never forget this day.”
The Motorcycle club said when they got the call, they jumped at the chance to come together for Donald’s request. Some came from Ashtabula, Conneaut, and Austinburg, riding almost an hour to spend a few meaningful moments at David Simpson Hospice House. The Dirty Bones certainly have big hearts, and we cannot thank them and Megan enough!