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They got double and triple looks wherever they went.
About two dozen hog lovers -- that would be Harleys, not porcine -- arrived at the American Fork Hospital just before 10:30 a.m. on Saturday to deliver something warm and cuddly.
The members of the Central Utah Harley Owners group were delivering Christmas in July to three Utah Valley hospitals on Saturday -- 100 blankets made by volunteers with supplies paid for by the club. They parked their hogs in a neat semi-circle in front of the hospital's main doors and got a lot of stares as they trooped, riding leather and all, into pediatrics to hand over the blankets.
One was immediately given to one-and-a-half-year-old Kevin Cisneros-Castillo of Pleasant Grove. A tiny boy who was premature, Kevin has struggled with severe asthma since birth. He got a flannel quilt with Charlie Brown, Snoopy and other Peanuts characters on it. Kevin's parents said they believed he would be going home today, after showing marked improvement over yesterday. In his hospital bed, Kevin was clearly restless.
"He wants to run and play," said his father, Oscar Cisneros.
When he leaves, he will get to take the blanket with him as something "that is more positive than the illness," said Lance McDaniel of American Fork, who is director of the biker club.
The club delivers blankets in July and December, an act that started as a way to honor Tony Brooks, a club member and hog enthusiast who was a registered nurse who died in 1999, McDaniel said.
The club has been paying for and delivering the quilts for about 8 years, said Rick Story of Benjamin, who is the general manager of Timpanogos Harley-Davidson in Lindon.
"The kids seem to like them and it gives us a good feeling inside to know we are giving something back to the community," Story said.
To donate, contact Timpanogos Harley-Davidson at 434-HOGS. |
