History of Wilton, New York Chapter XII

        In the spring of 1998, Firefighter John Rucinski of the Wilton Fire Department was handed an article about a Firefighters Motorcycle Club called the Red Knights. John found an interest among other area Firefighters. After inquiring about additional information regarding the club, John filled out the required paper work to start a local chapter. In December of 1998 the International club accepted the new chapter as New York Chapter 12.

        On January 16, 1999 the new club held it's first meeting at the Wilton Firehouse. The first order of business was to recruit new members, and set a club agenda. John acted as club President, Secretary, Treasurer, and well, everything but Vice-President which was appointed to Firefighter Henry Harrington. In the months that followed the club grew to 22 members from the original 7. In July of 1999, Firefighter Steve Smith joined the club and was appointed club Secretary. Elections for club officials are now held every January. Appointments for Road Captains, Chaplain, and Event Coordinator are also made at this time

        In the year 2000, the club took on two major yearly events. The first event we took on was the feeding of all International members at the annual Americade convention in Lake George, New York. International President Gary Nelson approached Chapter President John Rucinski about taking over the feeding of approx. 300 members at the growing event, since it was in our own backyard so to speak, and the club gladly accepted the task. The second event we elected to take on was a "TOY RUN". John Campione and the Griffin Brothers Motorcycle Club approached us about running a Toy Run their club has been running with great success for the past 11 years. Their club thought the charity would be able go even further than they have already taken it, if a Firefighters club took the event over. The Toy Run benefits a charity known as "Give a Child A Christmas". The Toy Run was always a Large contributor to Give a Child A Christmas, and our club has upheld the tradition of the event. We grow every year, and hope you will join us this year. The event is held every October and is now known as the "Red Knights NY 12 Toy Run". The last several years we raised enough money and collected enough toys to give over 500 children in the Saratoga area a Christmas they will never forget.

        Our club is becoming increasingly popular. Besides the two major events we run every year, we also gain exposure by escorting several Firefighter Associations, and Departments in their parades. We have come a long way since our beginning, and we always look to the future. We always look for new members with new ideas to help us. If you are a Firefighter who likes to ride motorcycles, join your local Red Knights Chapter, or start your own, and begin the joy of belonging to the largest Brother/Sisterhood on two (or three) wheels.

Written by John Rucinski