NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Fall Run Committee recently donated $2,500 each to the American Legion posts in Adams and North Adams. 

 

The funds were raised by the return of the Fall Run this year and made on behalf of the Fall Run and Spencer Post 138 American Legion Riders.

 

The donations were presented at North Adams American Legion Post 125 to the post's commander, Mitchell Keil, and to Adams Post 160 Commander Keith McLear. Also attending were Dennis St. Pierre, Tom Lussier, Mark Sprague, Mike Blewitt and Lou Floriani. Another presentation was made in Spencer. 

 

Each recipient said they hoped for "bigger and better next year."

 

The Fall Run, a more than 60-mile motorcycle ride, raised more than $500,000 for charity over its 35-year history. The run was halted a few years ago but resurrected this year by a group of civic-minded residents. The  proceeds of the event were targeted to help veterans organization through local group and the Riders.  

 

"When we started the nine-month adventure in January of this year, it was all about bringing back the Fall Run and establishing three goals," said Michael Steuer, one of the new organizers and a longtime participant in the ride. "To return the iconic thunder of bikes running through the hilltowns of the Berkshires as the Adams Fall Run for the first time in  four years. As part of the ride, we wanted  merchants and supporters to be the beneficiaries. And if it generated any profits, we would consider carving out something for the local Legions. 

 

"The weather would dictate the results. Being the first year, we played it very conservatively, yet proudly concluded, mission accomplished."

 

Steuer said he used his contacts to engage the Legion Riders at the post home in Spencer at the anchor to the endeavor. They could bring the expertise to the logistics and organizational structure essential to pull off the event, he said, although it took some persuasion. "They were perfect for the job."

 

"They actually eventually bought into the idea both with their feet and wallet and possibly the largest financial Fall Run sponsorship with over $5,000 this year," he said. "Having this at our disposal, the American Legion Riders would always be recognized as the pillar to the Adams Fall Run. The Post 138 American Legion Riders has already approved funds for the 2022 event."

 

Organizers, a few dozen volunteers and the Riders brought hundreds of motorcycles to the town of Adams for the Fall Run on Sept. 19. The 69-mile ride began at Bowe Field in Adams and made a loop up through Ashfield before finishing back at the field for a party open to the public. 

 

"Knowing the odds were against us and the obstacles we would face, our goal was to also try and make a modest profit, the weather would be the biggest factor," Steuer said. "But if we did turn a profit, after expenses, we would be distributed accordingly to a preplanned formula and help vets locally and through the Post 138 ALR, supporting related organizations and programs."

 

He acknowledged the work of "tireless volunteers," Chairman Jeffrey Snoonian and and committee members  Carol Cushenette (supervisor), Bob Murray (administration), David Boyer (finance), Josh Little (resources), Sarah Kline (media communications), Rachel Tomkowicz (staffing volunteers), Geoff Kondel, (IT), Renelle Moser (media marketing), Ann Marie ONeil and Barb Steuer (chinese auction), and Chris Shrade (money manager). 

 

Sponsors were critical to making the profits greater, Steuer said, and "Dave Nicolas and his team from the Bounti Fare filled our bellies with some of the best local sustenance that day." The community of Adams was welcoming, the Police Department worked to keep everyone safe, Deacon Bruce Ziter offered a blessing of the bikes, and the bands Bacchus and Straight Up provided music that "was the icing on the cake."

 

The weather was fine and 335 motorcyle enthusiasts led by the Riders' road captains Doug Eddy and Danny Lussier and Director Dan Meloche thundered down Park Street to people along the way waving flags. 

 

Steuer said his motivation to revive the ride was to spend as much time as possible fundraising to help local veterans. 

 

"This motivation stems from my American Legion celebration 100 anniversary work in 2019 and recently trying to enlist other American Legion Riders locally after COVID-19 to participate in the 2021 Adams Fall Run," he said. "When I was hearing from the many chapters of losses of ALR participants ... It has been a sad story after story and to see the difference between our Post 138 ALR organizations, and the devastation to some strong (pre-COVID) organizations, some closing their doors for good ... It is a perfect marriage to combine the Adams Fall Run and fundraising done throughout the American Legion Riders."

 

Steuer said one of the unexpected outcomes of 138 ALR's presence was that it has motivated other posts to start their own chapters. He plans to discuss this with the Dalton Post 155 ALR with an idea to expand the fall run as also a Legion run and "to rock these hills of the Berkshires once a year."