Local organization recognized for assisting traveling motorcyclist
In October of 2014, Timothy Litwin, a specialist in the United States Army, traveled by motorcycle through Calhoun on his way from Fort Benning to Kentucky to visit with family.
Within miles of passing through Calhoun, Litwin became stranded on Interstate 75 between the Resaca and Carbondale exits after his motorcycle broke down. As he began making phone calls to his insurance company and wrecker services, despite the roar of passing traffic, a group of Gordon County riders, known as the OBK, or Outrageous Beardsmen Koalition, stopped to try to assist him.
The group was on its way to a fundraiser meeting in support of the North Georgia Family Crisis Center in Dalton, but decided to wait with Litwin until transportation was arranged for he and his Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Tim Jacobsen, a councilmember of the OBK, said that the group stayed with Litwin so that he would not have to sit on the side of the busy highway alone.
“The old saying is ‘Never leave a rider behind,’” said Jacobsen. “We just thought we would stay with him until he got some help; at least that way he wouldn’t be by himself.”
The OBK expected no recognition or thanks from the out-of-town rider in exchange for their company. However, Litwin contacted the group of men last week, nearly one year after they first met, joined them in Calhoun and presented them with Certificates of Appreciation for their assistance. The certificates were from an organization in which Litwin is active, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, for helping and assisting a downed member.
“We would do this for anyone broken down, but this was even better,” said members of the OBK. “Timothy has served numerous tours overseas and is still active—to us, he is the true American Hero.”
Jacobsen said that the members of the OBK describe the organization as a group of likeminded men from the Gordon County community that share the common goal of making the community a better place and helping those less fortunate.
“We are just a group of seven guys right now, and we all have facial hair,” said Jacobsen jokingly. “We are not necessarily a motorcycle group—it just so happens that 99 percent of us are motorcycle enthusiasts”
He continued, “We want to give back to the community because the community has helped all of us in one way or another. We like to get together and help out charity organizations.”
The OBK celebrates one year as a group today, Saturday, Oct. 17. They are now in the process of collecting Christmas presents for the children at Mountain Top Boys Home and the second year of Scooters for Seniors, a fundraiser in which the organization collects blankets, caps, activity books and personal hygiene items to be donated to local assisted living homes.
For more information or if you would like to make a donation, please contact OBK council members Leland Lynch at 678986-6711 or Tim Jacobsen at 770-548-4081.
The National League of Junior Cotillions has a history of grooming youth into young professionals and has played an influential role in the success of some of the most prominent leaders in America.
The National League of Junior Cotillions is an organization that teaches all of the essential qualities that are utilized on a daily basis. They teach manners, etiquette, ballroom dance, among a wide array of other skills, while building confidence and self esteem along the way.
Directors Kenneth and Elizabeth Greene lead this program in Gordon County and commented on the program entering their sixth season.
“We’re proud of our students and the reputations they’re building with their peers, mentors and citizens of the Gordon County Community and abroad. We take pleasure in the compliments we’ve received through direct correspondence and social media, and the positive stories we’ve heard from those that have witnessed our students doing good things in the local community. Most people don’t realize the value of this organization until they have an opportunity to witness the curriculum first hand. We teach all of the essential qualities that are demanded in the world we live in today.”
The National League of Junior Cotillions will open their 2015- 2016 season on Tuesday Oct. 20. For more information about the Junior Cotillion program, visit the website at www. nljc. com/ chapter/ gordon or contact Kenneth and Elizabeth Greene at 770- 769- 7373.