Red Knights presents check to Oneida County Humane Society

Wisconsin Chapter 5 of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club is part of the International Red Knights Motorcycle Club for fire fighters. According to charter member Norm Peterson, there are over 9,000 members around the world, with most of those being in the United States.

Peterson said this chapter picked up the motorcycle show that used to run with the car show in Rhinelander. At that event, the Red Knights held a fund raiser to raise funds for the Oneida County Humane Society and also a local volunteer fire department.

“We had no idea how much we were going to raise, but because of the work of the committee, we made enough that we can give away $6,000,” he said. Of that, $3,000 was earmarked for the Humane Society. The other $3,000, he said, will be split between six of the 13 volunteer fire departments in Oneida County. Those receiving funds were selected by a random draw where all volunteer departments had an equal chance of being drawn. Each of the fire departments drawn will receive $500. Winners of those funds will be notified at a later date.

The Wisconsin Chapter 5 started approximately 17 years ago. In order to be a member, a person must be a full time fire fighter or a paramedic/EMT that works within a fire department. Social members, such as spouses, are also allowed in the clubs. Fire department support staff paid by fire departments can also apply for membership to a chapter, he said. This chapter, he said, is made up of volunteer fire departments in Oneida County, making giving back to those departments with fund raisers like this one important. 

More about this chapter of the Red Knights can be found on their Facebook page by searching Red Knights WI 5.

Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].