SOUTHWICK – The community is rallying to help Team Justice following the theft of three motorcycles this week.
A Team Justice Fundraiser is set for Saturday, Jan. 30 from 6 p.m. – midnight at Roma Restaurant, with pizza, music, and raffles.
Team Justice President Kevin Bishop, a lieutenant with the Southwick Police Department, reported the bikes missing from his own garage Monday.
“We’re devastated,” said Bishop. “The kids are in shock.”
Team Justice is a motocross racing team founded by Bishop in 2004 to help at-risk youth. The team currently consists of riders age nine to 18, and adult mentors, who were once riders themselves.
The larceny could mean the end to Team Justice’s 2016 racing season before it begins because Bishop said the team, which is mainly funded by donations, does not even have enough money to replace one bike, let alone three valued at $22,000 total.
To help rebuild, Bishop’s daughter Jessica Bishop, a member of the Southwick Fire Department, is organizing the Team Justice fundraiser, not just for her father, but for the team.
“These kids are always helping others,” she said. “They’re behind the scenes working at other fundraisers.”
Bishop said Team Justice is about more than motocross. He teaches the youth about giving back and staying on a good path. Riders must strive to achieve good grades, stay alcohol and drug free, and do the best always.
Jessica Bishop wants to help keep the team going, especially for one team member in particular.
“Austin is 18 and this is his last year,” she said. “He started racing when he was only five – I want him to have his last year.”
Jessica Bishop said the town and motocross community have really come together. In two day, she received donations of Red Sox opening week tickets, other sporting event tickets, gift certificates, and more to raffle. Keith Johnson, Southwick Motocross 338 promoter, donated four VIP tickets worth $200 each for the Nationals race, which makes its return to Southwick this year. He also donated tickets for all open practices and admission to his motocross school.
“I don’t like to ask for things, but this is important and so far, no one has said no,” said Jessica Bishop. “I think businesses here know Team Justice and how much good they do.”
Bishop said he was overwhelmed by the support from Southwick residents and the motocross community.
“From what I have heard and seen, I am amazed at the community support of the people that have come forward to make cash donations or have give gift prizes for the raffle for the kids,” he said.
The chance of recovering the stolen bikes is slim. Bishop said if they are found, the funds raised at the Jan. 30 event will not go to waste.
“If the bikes are found or there is any surplus on funds raised, all money will still be going into the Team Justice fund to help other kids throughout the season,” he said. “I am so hoping that the kids from the team will learn from this that adults and others do care about kids and that they will now be the first to help someone in the future.”
Tickets are $20 each and include DJ music, endless pizza, and soda. Raffles and a cash bar will be available for additional cost. For information or to purchase tickets, contact Jessica Bishop at 1-207-451-7382.
