Crusaders for Children raises money, awareness for children in fear

ROYAL OAK — Crusaders for Children, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping children in times of need, hosted its third annual car and bike show in memory of founder Papa Bear, aka Jason Rakowski, July 13 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Acorn Post #1669 at 214 E. Fourth St.

The event had 12 bikes and 10 cars on display, and it raised around $1,200 for the Crusaders’ efforts to help children who are in fear or need. 

The group consists of bikers who have dedicated themselves to advocating for children in fear. 

“We lift children out of fear, no matter what; you know, it could be abuse, it could be illness,” Crusaders board Secretary Deanna Gamblin said. Gamblin goes by the biker name “Aakii.” 

Gamblin has been a member of the Crusaders for Children for three years and has been the secretary for two. 

Crusaders for Children, Royal Oak chapter, began in 2020 right before COVID-19 hit, according to one of the Michigan founders, Paul Trendell, aka Papa T. The original Crusaders chapter is located in Miami Valley, Ohio.

The organization also has a group located in Three Rivers, Kentucky, and another in northern Tennessee. Gamblin said they are hoping that the nonprofit can spread all over America.

Rakowski passed away in 2021. 

“When a member passes, we do an event for a memorial, rather than having a riding event, because Michigan’s riding season is so short,” Gamblin said. “So, rather than trying to put together another ride, we decided to do our annual fundraiser and memorialize him as well.”

The show’s 12 bikes and 10 cars was not the best turnout, according to Trendell, but he hopes with more advertising they can bring in more cars for next year’s show. 

“We are possibly going to come up with something for kids to decorate their bicycles and stuff,” he said. “We are a family organization, so we want to expand in those areas.”

Trendell said that the Crusaders began when they split from another organization in hopes of reaching more children in need on a wider scale than just abuse cases. 

“It could be illness, it could be someone needs support during a divorce; I mean, anything that a child needs,” Gamblin said. “We raise funds so that children can come to us for whatever a child may need. We are going to do our best to fulfill that need and lift that child up and out of the fear that they are feeling.”

Parents or adults will call the Crusaders if a child is in need of help, according to Gamblin, which is then followed by an approval process by the board of the Crusaders, who decide if the situation is one they want to pursue.

“Nine times out of 10 we say, ‘Heck yeah, this is what we do,’” Gamblin said. “Then we go over to the home of the child and do what we call an adoption ride — we don’t adopt the child but we call it that.”

After the initiation, the child is assigned to a biker, who is available at all hours of the day for the child’s needs. 

“They support that child and whatever they need, if it’s a phone call at 3 o’clock in the morning, or hey, I would like you to walk to school with me, or I have a doctor’s appointment today, or I’m going to see my attorney today, and I would really like some moral support, you know, so whatever that child is needing, we were capable of providing that for them,” Gamblin said.

 The organization also helps out with different foster systems. According to Gamblin, they are “just getting started in Michigan.”

“COVID really put a damper on everybody. The last three years we have had to get our tennis shoes on and hit that pavement, start running,” she said. “We want to expand by helping foster care in the area.”

Gamblin said that the group does fundraisers for foster care and donates as much as possible. The Crusaders also work with CARE House of Oakland County, an advocacy center providing services to victims of child abuse. 

“When you see a child who’s been abused or in fear and a group of burly bikers roll up, the smiles on their faces melt your heart,” she said.

The Michigan chapter currently has nine members and is looking for more, according to Trendell. 

To join, prospective members must be prepared for the dedication required, Trendell said. 

“Because we do a lot for communities, we do a lot of fundraising, and a lot of awareness events to get the public to know we’re there to help them,” Trendell said. 

“If you’re on a bike and interested in coming out, come out,” he said. “Come to an event, and if you want to go further, we get everybody to have an FBI background check so we know who we’ve got, and then you can hang around and become a prospect doing work. Your dedication dictates your membership.”

Trendell said that empowering children to be strong is one of the driving factors behind the Royal Oak chapter. 

“To get them to turn that frown upside down,” he said. “Especially, to get the children to be able to testify in court, and give them the empowerment to testify, and let them feel protected.”

For more information on Crusaders for Children, visit crusadersforchildren.org.