YAVAPAI BLUE KNIGHTS Chapter AZ-II Blue Knights® International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club Inc
What or Who is the Blue Knights®
The Blue Knights® is a fraternal organization of Law Enforcement Officers who share a passion for motorcycle riding. The organization was born when a group of seven officers from the Bangor-Brewer area of the State of Maine (USA) formed a local recreational motorcycle club in 1974. Within two years the club had become an International Organization with over 3,000 members. Today, the organization has 635 chapters in 30 countries. throughout the North American, Australian, and European Continents with a membership numbering almost 20,500 members. In addition to hosting rides and runs for the enjoyment of members and their families, the Blue Knights® are very active in fund raising and the donation of time to benefit charitable organizations. A listing of those organizations is, very literally, too numerous to mention. The Blue Knights® join Law Enforcement personnel from around the world in promoting motorcycle safety, a positive motorcyclist image and motorcycling as a family recreation.
Rewards of Knighthood
It is difficult stating what makes theBlue Knights®so special. Perhaps the following will help explain the kinds of feelings that flow when a bunch of motorcycle-riding police officers get together.
Knighthood is:
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Enjoying the company of different people who share not only the common bond of a career in law enforcement, but also a love of motorcycles.
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Being able to visit friends in any of our member countries and be treated like family.
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Receiving get-well cards from people you've never met. (There are no strangers in the Blue Knights®, only friends you haven't met.)
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Riding with Knights’ Ladies and Little Knights who give that added family touch.
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Going to handicapped children's camps, giving the kids rides and seeing the smiles on their faces.
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Various fund-raising activities for those less fortunate.
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Knowing why it is really impossible to describe the words “Rewards of Knighthood”
Being a Blue Knight® is all this and much, much more.
Many Blue Knights®work long and hard to raise money for various charities. Especially near to our hearts is helping children. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Toys for Tots, D.A.R.E., and Concerns of Police Survivors are some examples of our favorites. As of February 2010 Blue Knights have donated to numerous charities and have contributed time, monetary and gift donations in the amount exceeding $13,037,303 (USD). TheBlue Knights®is a family fraternity. Spouses and children often accompany our members to the various rides and functions. When traveling, local members can provide assistance, directions and sometimes a place to stay. We are truly a family. Among the Blue Knights® members, "There are no strangers, only friends you haven't met."