American Legion Riders looking for recruits

American Legion Riders looking for recruits
Damien Fisher
News Staff Writer

Jim Cutting is hoping beanbags will bring people out for this weekend’s tournament and fundraiser in support of the newly formed American Legion Riders.

“We want to start riding,” he said. “We need to raise money to do these things.”

That’s where the beanbags come in. On Saturday night, the group is hosting a beanbag tournament. For a small entry fee, people can participate in a game of beanbag toss, similar to horseshoes, using professional beanbag sets. There will be prizes for the tournament, as well as raffles and food, Mr. Cutting said.

Mr. Cutting is among a core group of American Legion members from the area who started the Riders group. American Legion Riders is an offshoot of the more traditional American Legion associations.

The Riders bring their motorcycles to parades and other public events. They take part in charity rides for the many causes supported by the American Legion. The group also participates in funeral processions for fallen comrades.

Mr. Cutting said the new group, the American Legion Riders Baldwinville Chapter 373, hopes to start recruiting members from the many area American Legion chapters. There are now about 15 members of the Riders. They can be members of other Legion chapters, the Sons of the American Legion or the American Legion Auxiliary chapters.

The American Legion was started by an act of Congress in 1919 to be an organization for veterans to engage in community projects and in local service after having served in the military.

The tournament starts at 6 p.m. in the American Legion Hall in Baldwinville on Central Street.