MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- A high-performance sportbike motorcycle group, made up of Tri-Command Marines and sailors, helped raise money for area Special Olympic athletes at Specialty Motor Sports in Bluffton Jan. 17.
The group, Endangered Species, lured in motorists with their bike display and hand-made signs, accepting donations to raise approximately $1,000 in a four-hour period.
Endangered Species was recruited for the event by Sherry Taylor, assistant manager,
Specialty Motor Sports, who helps sponsor the Special Olympics.
"I had a working relationship with the group, and I thought they would be great for promoting the drive," said Taylor. "Their mere presence with their bikes drew a lot of attention to what we were doing, which was extremely positive."
Projecting themselves in a positive light was one of the main reasons Endangered Species decided to help out with the project. The group has only been in existence for a few weeks, and this was one way to gain some beneficial exposure.
"We want to help out the local community in whatever way we can," said Endangered Species President Staff Sgt. Jason Itro, maintenance chief, Depot Motor Transport. "It helps promote a positive image for [sportbike] riders."
A couple of days prior to the event, Itro and the rest of Endangered Species made their rounds in Beaufort, encouraging people to come out and support the cause.
"They really came through and did a great job," said Taylor. "Without them, we wouldn't have raised near what we did. They put the bikes out there next to the main road and practically took over, which was fantastic."
The job the riders did could be most accurately reflected not by how much money was raised, but on the faces of the Special Olympic athletes, who were there to reap the benefits of the group's efforts.
"They had a blast," said Itro. "Some of those kids will never be able to ride a motorcycle because of their handicaps. They got to sit on them and see them up close. That made it all worthwhile."
Seven Marines and two sailors currently make up Endangered Species' official structure. The group rides together, holds meetings and attends special events, including a showing of "Torque," a biker movie from Warner Brothers Pictures.
"We called the theater manager ahead of time to let them know we were coming and to make sure there would be enough parking," said Itro. "We thought it would help bring more people in to see the movie, and he was all for it."
Endangered Species has also attended some bike shows together, where the riders enjoy being advocates of the military lifestyle.
"With all of us being in the service and having a passion for bikes, we get to promote the military in a positive light out in the bike world," said Itro.
Itro said that being in the group helps to keep him and the rest of the riders out of mishaps by having to adhere to specific guidelines in order to maintain membership.
"We don't want any negative attention," he said. "We have requirements and a strict rules list for all prospective members."
As a new organization, Endangered Species is in the process of scheduling appearances at upcoming community events in an effort to draw more positive attention.
"Right now, we're still trying to find out what's out there that we actually can do," said Itro. "We'd like to be able to show up to events to draw crowds, promote bikers and maybe make some kid's day."