Many children with special needs such as wheelchairs, crutches or blindness don’t get to go trick-or-treating on Halloween.
Motorcycle enthusiast Kaz Mamon makes it his mission to fix that, leading the Halloween Mamon Ride for the past 15 years.
It’s grown bigger, Mamon said.
“It’s a good time,” he said. “They don’t get this (trick-or-treating), they really don’t, so we enjoy doing something real special for them.”
This past Saturday, Oct. 30, 62 special needs and handicapped children enjoyed lunch at Mesquite Creek, then went outside in time to see and hear over 70 motorcycles driving down M-15 from Ortonville.
The riders arrived and swung around from the back. They waved to the kids as they parked their bikes.
Parents also had big smiles, sharing their appreciation for riders’ generosity.
“It’s fun, like Christmas,” said Jennifer Burkhart of Lake Orion, who brought her son Ethan.
She met Mamon at another event. He remembered her and her son and called to invite them to come out.
Michelle Crick, of Auburn Hills, held up her son’s overflowing bag and said it was a great event and they give too much.
Each child received a treat from every biker ? educational items, books, mind teasers, coloring books, stuffed animals, and candy.
“It’s not just candy because we know some kids can’t eat any candy,” said Mamon.
John Kayi of Clarkston said it was his second year riding and handing out treats.
“I love it. It is an awesome event. I hope it grows with kids and riders,” he said.
With a smile, he added the draw for him was the smiles on kids’ faces.
The children were able to ride, too. Brad Lapinski, brought his bike creation he orginally made for a boy in Detroit, who wanted to ride a bike.