Jeremy Ratliff
Reporter
An event created with the sole intent of raising funds and awareness, for a local chapter of an organization dedicated to serving abused children paid off in a big way Saturday, as Redemption Ink’s “Tats for Kids” fundraiser garnered nearly $2,000 for the Merrill-based Northwoods Chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA).
The event’s offer of $45 business card sized tattoos, and $30 stainless, surgical steel ear, nose and navel piercings was one many found hard to resist, as shop staff were greeted Saturday morning by a line of customers outside the shop well before the event start-time of 8 a.m. Once the doors opened, studio owner Vern Gogh and tattoo artist/piercing specialist Anton Schafer would find little time for rest as they would go on to deliver 65 tattoos and piercings; the final customer departing just after 1 a.m. Sunday morning.
Despite the 17-hour day, the duo is unmistakably proud of the event’s end result.
“We had a great time with everyone, and we are honored to be able to help out the kids that need BACA’s help,” Gogh said. “We did have one of their heroes and her parents drive all the way from Wisconsin Rapids; arriving around 10 p.m. to support our cause. The whole day was a great success.”
Coordinated by Gogh and chapter secretary, Heely, this past fall as an idea for the shop to express their support for the organization, the event surpassed the expectations of all involved.
“We exceeded our expectations in every way,” Gogh explains. “We raised more money than expected, had more fun than expected, and things ran a lot smoother than expected thanks to all those who volunteered. It was an awesome turn out and we had a great time.”
Heely agrees.
“None of us knew what to expect going into this, and the response from people who showed up to both to support BACA and Redemption was overwhelming and heart warming!”“This event at Redemption Ink was amazing! They did an amazing job and has helped us in numerous ways,” adds chapter vice-president, Breacher. “First being, local businesses supporting local non profit organizations. Secondly, showing the community and surrounding communities that we are out there and we have a mission; to empower children to not be afraid of the world in which they live. By raising awareness of our organization to local communities, we are also growing in size. Funds brought in are allowing us to bring in and empower a larger number of abused children. We are so very thankful to everyone at Redemption Ink and other businesses we have worked with over the the years for everything they have done for our organization and our heroes. We would also like to sincerely thank everyone who came out to support us and the studio on Saturday. Such a strong levbel of support is very humbling and very much appreciated.”
As he further explains, every dollar donated from Saturday’s event or any BACA fundraiser, goes directly into making the organization’s mission of empowering abused children, possible.
“The funds are used in many different ways. For example, when we bring a child or hero into our organization, they receive a cut (denim vest), and on that cut, they receive a patch with their road name, a back patch, state pin and a lower rocker patch. On average, to bring one child into the organization costs around $100. If the hero needs counseling, we also assist with that.”
A 501 (c)(3) organization, Bikers Against Child Abuse is comprised of a network of chapters throughout the world; the Northwoods Chapter being founded in 2013. The chapter now consists of eight patched members and non-patched members or supporters. As chapter president “Half Pint” explains, the organization operates strictly by fundraising efforts.
“We are a body of bikers that work in conjunction with local and state officials already in place, to help protect and empower our heroes so that they no longer have to fear the world in which they live.
For more information regarding Bikers Against Child Abuse, visit http://bacaworld.org.
For more information on Redemption Ink Tattoo and Art Studio, Vern and Anton can be reached at the shop Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at 715-612-1749. Or visit the shop on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redemptionink/.