CMA’s mission is religious, but they’re here to help anyone who needs them, regardless of denomination or religious affiliation. CMA member Joyce Klein has been volunteering at the Rally since 2000, and this year coordinated efforts at Rapid City Hospital. “We would love to minister to anyone who is open to it. Plenty of people request it and we love sharing that, but we’re not just coming and preaching to people. We’re asking how we can help, what we can do for you,” she says.
Why do you volunteer?
The only thing I think explains why any of us come and do this work — because we put in long hours and it’s emotionally draining — is we’re called by the Lord to be here, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to answer that call.
What is your role as a volunteer with CMA?
One of the big things that we do is when there is an accident, we get all the information about where the accident happened and coordinate with dispatchers in different counties and either recover that bike or get the saddle bags or personal papers off the bike. For these bikers that’s incredibly important. Not knowing where your bike is can be like not knowing where your child is. But we also have stuff for kids if they’re waiting in the emergency room, and we will visit with patients and caregivers and develop a relationship with them as well.
Why do CMA volunteers return year after year?
We love what we do. It’s hard work, but it’s fun too. And boy is it fulfilling! Everybody’s got the heart for Jesus, they’ve got the heart to be a servant, they’ve got the heart to share and to get that many people in one group is an exciting thing!
What’s your favorite part about what you do?
I love being able to help people who are scared and don’t know what to do next. I just love being here
and helping people whatever their needs are. And
the camaraderie within the team is amazing.
Since 1999, the Christian Motorcyclists Association has had members across the country who come to volunteer during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The Christian Motorcyclists Association and Monument Health both believe that caring for others starts with heart.
