A Time For Giving And Learning To Receive

By: Len “3 WHeeL” MontGoMery

Every year through the holidays there are ample opportunities to give to those who are in need. For 2020, there seemed to be an increase in both needs and the hearts of those who were able to give. And the same held true in our little area of the Carolinas. 301 Brothers began the month on Saturday, December 5th celebrating in a reverse parade in the community of Four Oaks. As an adjustment for the circumstances of 2020, the participants found a spot to park along Main Street while the “spectators” drove single file down the parade route. Swag bags were handed out to the first 100 vehicles in the spectator line. And of course, we all had to maintain social distancing. I liked this idea as it permitted us to interact with the spectators on a much more personal level from afar. And I was able to portray “Biker Santa” for the children in the passing cars. I also spotted a couple of parents that were teetering on the “naughty” list. Next up the same day was the Joker Fifty RA 5th Annual Toy Drive for The Partnership for Children. Plates were ready when we arrived. And judging by the pile of toys and the cash collected, I am certain there were smiles on many faces on Christmas morning. But as we drew to end of the day, one person was missing. In fact, an all-points bulletin went out among the biker community for one Lee Braswell, who had untypically not been seen since the night before. We would all soon find out that he had taken a spill the night before on his ride home. In the early morning of December 5th, 2020, Lee was heading home toward Smithfield on Hwy 70 near D&J Cycle Center in Clayton. He hit a wet spot which caused his bike to hydroplane. Lee later told me that in the moment he was looking at his options after hitting grass and mud and had laid it down to avoid the hitting the guard rail. But ultimately, he hit it anyway. He was unconscious when the Highway Patrol and paramedics arrived. When he woke up, still at the crash site, he was dazed and confused. He was fighting to get away not aware that he had a broken his left arm and his right leg, injuries that would require a total of eight surgeries. And this is where the “learning to receive” portion of this story comes in. Since I have known him, Lee has always showed up to support whatever cause in the community when he was available. He is seen by most in the biker community to be a great guy. Yet he was amazed at the outpouring of prayers, phone calls and wishes for a speedy recovery that flooded in. And of course, with the idea of returning to work any time soon at Sunland Fire Protection being out of the question for six months or more, much less his side business of detailing bikes and cars, Linda Stahl of Saddle Up Saloon in Smithfield quickly pulled together a fundraiser to help with Lee’s expenses. So, on December 19th Linda and her bartenders (Kristina Flick Sampson, Stephanie Horne and Cody Massengill) began setting up for the day while Billy Jackson cooked a whole hog. There was a raffle table with many nice items donated by Sissy Burke and others. DJs Artie Davis and Tim Langston were keeping us entertained, until the food was ready. And Andy and Emily Tyson chopped the BBQ and prepared the plates. All total there was $2,262 raised for Lee that day. And while Lee wasn’t able to be there, his dad and sister were there on his behalf.