Helping with Horsepower motorcycle to be given away

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The rebuilt 2006 Harley Davidson Electra Glide that had seen better days when it arrived at the Abbott House has experienced a transformation and will be given away to one lucky winner on Tuesday, during the Mitchell Chamber Mix and Mingle event. The event, sponsored by MidContinent Communications, will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Highland Conference Center.

In its second year at the Abbott House, Laura Klock, vice president of Klock Werks Kustom Cycles, and founder/facilitator of the Helping With Horsepower program, said the Bike Rebuild Program is having an impact on Abbott House girls.

“This project mirrors the challenges Abbott House girls face as they overcome abuse and neglect and learn to love themselves again,” said Klock. “This year’s project motorcycle was neglected its entire life and it came to us with numerous issues, just like many of the girls. Through the rebuild process it seemed as though each time we made progress in one area, we discovered more work needed in other areas. Girls face these same challenges in their personal healing process — so this bike represented life to many of us.”

Named Mosaic, the bright green “modern-day mosaic” design is a tribute to artwork created from pieces of brokenness and turned into something beautiful.

“Mosaic is symbolic of what happens to many girls in the care of the Abbott House. They come to the facility with brokenness in their lives, and leave more beautiful and self-confident,” said Klock. As part of the program, the name and paint design are chosen by entries submitted by the girls. Approximately 40 girls took part in the project.

The Helping with Horsepower Bike Rebuild Program was a much larger project this year because the bike needed more repairs.

“As the girls learned the various types and uses of tools and how to remove motorcycle parts, they also learned about perseverance, team work, and problem solving. It was truly amazing to see the pride, confidence and self-esteem generated by the project,” said Eric Klooz, Abbott House director.

In addition to giving the girls practical experience and life skills, raffle tickets are sold to raise funds to support education and counseling at the Abbott House.

Abbott House is a private charity that provides residential treatment services to girls between the ages of 7 and 17. The agency provides intensive treatment and foster care in a therapeutic home.

Tags: life, charity, fundraiser, local, mitchell