My Apologies to Lock Haven Express for saying they wouldnt run this article... Thank you! The guys deserve this acknowledgement JERSEY SHORE - A Jersey Shore resident whose elaborate Christmas display was destroyed by vandalism received a holiday assist from a local motorcycle club over the weekend. At top, Mitch Champion’s house is all decorated for the holidays, thanks to members of the Brewery Hollow Outsiders motorcycle club. Above, members of the club, upon hearing of vandalism at Mitch’s residence, responded and redecorated his property and seranaded him with Christmas carols. Mitch Champion had worked for up to 10 hours setting up his elaborate nativity scene, giant snow globes, lighted figures and other holiday-themed displays, all for the enjoyment and sharing of one joyful-hearted familys love of Christmas for all the world to see. Twice in just a few hours, unfortunately, Mitch saw vandals destroy his hard work and ruin his decorations along with his Christmas spirit. He wrote about his disappointment on Facebook: Got up this morning to find the very few Christmas decorations I managed to put up vandalized and destroyed. Ive managed to keep the Christmas spirit and magic alive for over 50 years ... Both my Christmas spirit and faith in humanity are gone. There wont be any display this year. With that announcement of his disheartened losses, Mitch took down the remaining decorations. One message from a young girl begged him to reconsider, but even as he wavered toward reconsideration, it appeared the Grinches might have victory here- but for the unexpected arrival of a motorcycle club called the Brewery Hollow Outsiders. The Outsiders are no strangers to Christmas spirit. Theyve helped collect presents for those less fortunate than themselves, and theyve assisted in toy drives. The club also went Christmas caroling in Lock Haven in early December. Were not singers by any stretch of the imagination, one of the participants said, but it makes people smile and maybe take a second look at what they might otherwise think of as loud unruly bikers. So, when the call came from Sabrina Champion, Mitchs daughter and a fiance of R.J., one of the Brewery Hollow folks, word spread quickly. Sabrina had never seen her dad so upset. Her father joyously decorated only to have his displays destroyed - twice in the space of a few hours. Mitch told people he was giving up on the decorating this year ... perhaps forever. So it came as a surprise when Mitch came to the door of his now-darkened home and was greeted outside by large crowd. The Brewery Hollow Outsiders had stealthily snuck up on the residence. With family members in hand, the group formed a line. The congregation quietly lined up outside and began to sing Mitchs favorite Christmas song -The Little Drummer Boy. After the impromptu concert - 30 or more voices joined as one - the group presented Mitch with another unexpected Christmas gift. The Outsiders carried his decorations out into the yard and began the work of placing them in their rightful location. It was worth every ounce of the work to be out in the cold giving someone back some Christmas spirit, said one area resident who witnessed the undertaking and then assisted in the effort. This was a wonderful event, she added. As a group we cant sing really well but we do make lots of noise. Tonight I was surprised to find a group of at least 30 people on my front lawn singing Christmas carols, Mitch wrote on Facebook. I had nothing up after the vandalism. Then Friday night I was eating a sandwich and my daughter told me to come out on the porch ... There were people Id never seen before, singing carols and grabbing the boxes I had on my porch. Then they starting putting things back up. I was taken by such surprise I couldnt direct anything and it didnt matter. They seemed to sense where each thing belonged and put it there. It was one of the best Christmas presents Ive ever received. I dont think any of them realize precisely what effect they had on an old mans heart. They just turned Scrooge into a believer of Christmas again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for such a show of humanity. Mitch said he was humbled by such a large display of community spirit. Im still learning the names, but Id like to thank each and every person who showed up to help, he said. They are a fantastic and amazing group of people.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 14:35:08 +0000
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