Wheel good way to help sick kids

NANTICOKE -- Well over 400 bikers took off from Holy Child Grove Sunday morning to ride more than 40 miles in the ninth annual Valley with a Heart Ride.

“Thanks to the (Luzerne County) Sheriff’s Department, who did a wonderful job, we had a nice safe ride down to Mocanaqua,” said event President Rick Temerantz.

The bikers cycled through Shickshinny, Harveysville and Hunlock Creek before returning to the grove for a family picnic. Dozens of volunteers served food and manned booths selling T-shirts, instant bingo and silent auction chances to hundreds of people who paid $5 each for entry to the picnic. The event benefits seriously ill children, especially Robert Drummonds, 2, of Hughestown and Justin Burns, 6, of Avoca. This year’s ride was dedicated to the memory of Anthony John “A.J.” Novitski, 18, of Mountain Top, who passed away in June.

Temerantz said the event began as a one-time event to help the daughter of a friend. “We raised thousands of dollars, but besides the money, that day meant so much to that little girl. It helped her spirit so much that she wrote about it in her diary and came out to help the next year,” he said. “She’s since passed but knowing what it meant still chokes me up. These people need help with all kinds of things —gas cards, help paying bills, helping paying the mortgage. Someone has to care and that’s what Valley with a Heart is about.”

For Tony Novitski, father of A.J. Novitski, it was a bittersweet day. “It’s sad but it’s also happy because I know what Valley with a Heart does for kids and the needs they’ve blessed,” Novitski said.

When Temerantz’s committee learned that A.J.’s condition had worsened, they arranged a special surprise. “On very short notice, they got more than 100 riders for a ride for A.J.,” Novitski said. “When we pulled into the parking lot and he saw them, he was grinning ear to ear. To see that smile, that’s what they did for him and no money could ever replace that. The spiritual energy they create with what they do, there aren’t words for it. It’s a God thing.”

Volunteers, vendors and participants all claim they are the ones who benefit from the event. “There’s nothing like helping a child in need,” said Kingston resident Francine Harrison, who rode as a passenger in the motorcycle ride. “It’s like the ultimate thing a person can do.”

Harrison said she has a grandchild with cerebral palsy. “I know what it’s like. If more people did stuff like this the world would be a better place.”

Newport Township vendor Phyllis Stamile was selling chocolate motorcycles and The Candy Shack’s special peanut butter silk candies, with a portion of the proceeds going to Valley with a Heart. She also donated several silent auction baskets. “It breaks my heart when I see a sick child and this is a marvelous thing that they do,” she said.

While this was Stamile’s first year with the event, her granddaughter, Jaclyn Olshefski, has volunteered for four years. “I get back when I do this,” she said. “I love it all, but I especially love helping the kids. When (Justin) was on stage this morning he was so excited, it was just great.”

Justin’s mother, Maria Burns, said the event means more than just financial help. “This is just so wonderful,” she said as she looked around the packed picnic grounds.

She said her son has Down syndrome and was recently diagnosed with leukemia and didn’t realize the day was a fundraiser to help him. “He was in awe of the motorcycles and loves dancing to the music,” she said, noting that Justin starts a new and difficult round of chemotherapy on Tuesday. “This is a great thing for him to have today,” she said.

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Hundreds of motorcyclists ride in memory of “A.J.” Novitski of Mountain Top.

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