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Custom Bike Builder Offers Chance To Share The Dream For Cause
By Mitch Traphagen mitch@observernews.net
Jan 18, 2007, 23:02

Upon hearing the news of the kidnapping and murder of Jessica Lunsford, Alan Bernard of Santiago Chopper decided to do something. He built the bike pictured above in Jessica’s memory. Valued at $85,000, he then donated it to the Lunsford Foundation. This tribute bike will not be up for raffle but will appear at events around the country to raise awareness for the Jessica Lunsford Act to protect children from pedophiles. Mitch Traphagen Photo

GIBSONTON – Sometimes people do good things simply because it’s the right thing to do.  Sometimes people aren’t looking for publicity or public appreciation but rather are just hoping to make a difference, to make a change for the better.  In a world that often seems full of bad news, some people just want to do something good.

The people of Santiago Choppers in Gibsonton fall into that category.  They were touched by a wrong and are now working to make things better.  They are offering more than just words of support, they are offering up their money and talent.  And the talent they have is almost beyond measure.

Santiago Chopper in Gibsonton is now selling raffle tickets for a choice of two custom-built choppers.  The bikes are literally rolling works of muscle and art.  All of the proceeds of the raffle will go to benefit the Jessica Marie Lunsford Foundation.

Jessica Lunsford was only nine-years-old when she was kidnapped from her bedroom in Homosassa and later murdered.  Her father, Mark Lunsford, has dedicated his life to ensuring that no parent suffers as he has with the senseless loss of a child.  Lunsford helped to pass the Jessica Lunsford Act in Florida that significantly altered the state’s sexual offender and predator laws.  To date, he has been instrumental in passing similar legislation in 19 states.

“Mark Lunsford has been going from state to state trying to get Jessie’s Act passed,” said Chris Snell, marketing director for Santiago Chopper.  “He’s been on almost every talk show, every news program and America’s Most Wanted.  He has probably helped to pass more legislation to protect children than any other parent in the country.”

Jessica lives on through her father’s hard work.  She will forever be remembered for helping to save children she never met – and for the cute, impish grin and purple hat worn in one of her last photographs.  She was clearly a special child and millions of children across the country are safer today because of her.

Alan Bernard, owner of Santiago Chopper, saw the photograph and watched the news of her tragedy in shock.  He didn’t know Jessica or Mark Lunsford but knew that he had to do something.

“When Jessie disappeared, Alan saw it on TV and decided to do something in her memory,” Snell said.  “He went around to different companies to put together a tribute trike for her foundation.  He later sat down with Mark [Lunsford] and found out that Jessie really loved the water and she really loved dolphins.  From there, Alan’s imagination created the bike.  He just wanted to do what he could for Mark.”

The resulting trike, complete with Jessica’s image and dolphin shaped mirrors is valued at roughly $85,000.  The original plan was to auction it off but Mark Lunsford decided he didn’t want to see it sold.  As a result, Bernard donated the bike to the Lunsford foundation where it now appears at rides, shows and events across the country.

Pictured above is one of two bikes from which the winner of the Jessica Lunsford Foundation raffle will be able to choose. The bike features a custom frame, seat and paintjob surrounding an 883 Harley Davidson engine along with a 21 inch front wheel and a really serious back tire. Mitch Traphagen Photo

“Mark used the trike as grand marshal in several parades,” Snell continued.  “Last year it appeared at almost every children’s toy run and it will travel the country just to raise awareness.  We’re tired of people doing this to children – it’s outrageous and it’s sickening.”

Since Lunsford wanted to keep Jessica’s tribute trike, Bernard decided to build two more custom motorcycles for a raffle to support Lunsford’s efforts.  The winner of the raffle will have a choice of the two bikes – one valued at $20,000, the other at $25,000.  Both bikes are unique works of art built with indescribable talent and old world passion.

“When Mark saw the tribute bike, he decided he didn’t want to see it auctioned off,” Snell said.  “We told him, no problem – we’d put together two more bikes.”

Jessica’s tribute trike can next be seen at the Biker’s Against Pedophiles Rally in Brooksville on Feb. 11 and again on Feb. 24 at  the New Port Richey Harley Davidson for a party in celebration of Jessica’s birthday.

Raffle tickets for the two choppers went on sale on Dec. 1 and will be available until the drawing on May 26.  The drawing will be held in Pinellas County between the Buffalo Grill and the Quaker Steak Restaurant.  You do not have to be present at the event to win.  Tickets are $10 and those purchasing four or more tickets will receive a limited edition t-shirt featuring a hand-painted image of Jessica’s tribute bike.

According to Snell, only 4,000 tickets have been printed – and the drawing will go on regardless of the number sold. Considering the high value of the items, the odds, therefore, are outstanding.

“One hundred percent of this goes to the Lunsford Foundation,” he said.  “Unlike a lot of raffles, in this case, if all the tickets don’t sell someone will still win a motorcycle – this is all just to help out the Jessica Lunsford Foundation.”

In Snell’s experience, this is simply how Bernard operates.

“I’ve been with Alan and Christine [Bernard, Alan’s wife] about a year,” he said.  “I was actually a customer and I saw the things they were doing for the community.  They are the first people to give of their time, they are the first to sponsor events to help people out.”

The second chopper from which the winner can choose features a Revtech 88 engine aling with a six-speed transmission, a 21 inch front tire and a custom seat and paint job. Mitch Traphagen Photo

And in the case of Jessica Lunsford, they have donated not just their time, but also more than $120,000 in custom motorcyles.  On May 26, one lucky individual will benefit from Bernard’s commitment and across the country, millions of children will benefit as well.

In a world in which marketing and promotion has reached into the naming of stadiums and even elementary schools, there are still people and companies who do things simply to make life better – better for their customers and for the community.  In this case, doing the right thing makes things better for our children.  

And for the winner of the raffle life will most certainly be better – beginning the moment they ride off into the sunset on their new Santiago Chopper.


Raffle tickets are available online at the Santiago Chopper website (www.santiagochopper.com) or in person at any of the numerous motorcycle events attended by Santiago Chopper or by visiting their showroom at 9879 U.S. Highway 41 in Gibsonton.  

For further information about the Jessica Marie Lunsford Foundation visit www.jmlfoundation.com.



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