The Coaster
Saturday, December 9, 2023
No Result
View All Result
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • e-Edition
    • Read Now
    • Subscribe to e-Edition
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Subscribe / Renew
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • e-Edition
    • Read Now
    • Subscribe to e-Edition
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Coaster
No Result
View All Result
Home Bradley Beach

These Knights Ride to Raise Money for Charities

by The Coaster Editorial Staff
May 8, 2014
in Bradley Beach
16
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare via EmailShare on Twitter

 

Coaster Photo: Bradley Beach resident Mark Bozzo is a member of the Knights of Columbus Motorcycle Ministry.
Coaster Photo: Bradley Beach resident Mark Bozzo is a member of the Knights of Columbus Motorcycle Ministry.

By JOSEPH SAPIA

When one thinks of the Roman Catholic men’s group, the Knights of Columbus, one may think of members collecting money for charity on roadsides or dressed in ceremonial costumes of cape, hat with ostrich feathers and sword.

But riding motorcycles? In New Jersey, the state Knights of Columbus Motorcycle Ministry has existed since 2008, said Mark “Bozz” Bozzo of Bradley Beach.

Since June, the 61-year-old business owner — he owns New Jersey Retractable Awnings in Wall — has been president of the approximately 180-member state ministry. This ministry is just an extension of Knights of Columbus work.

“We just do it on motorcycles, this is another tool for us for membership,” Bozzo said.

“It’s different when you pull up on motorcycles,” he said. “Even going down the highway (wearing biker “colors,” showing they are Knights), people waving — It’s the Knights going to do something.”

Last year, according to Bozzo, the Motorcycle Ministry raised an estimated $18,000 to $20,000. The money went to Special Olympics New Jersey for mentally disabled athletes, about $10,000; dementia issues, “a few thousand” dollars: and other money going to various community causes. Recently, a businessman donated $5,000 to the ministry for Special Olympics, Bozzo said.

“How we affect the places we go to is easy to feel. It’s priceless,” he said.

Bozzo joined the Knights of Columbus in 2008, or shortly after the motorcycle ministry was formed by Knights in Middletown. Bozzo, a motorcyclist since he was about 17-years-old, attended a blessing of motorcycles at Holy Innocents Church in Neptune and learned of the group.

“I started riding around with these Catholic gentlemen (of) like thinking,” Bozzo said. “We are not a motorcycle club, we are a motorcycle ministry.”

The 180 Knights belonging to the Ministry are about evenly divided between the North and South Jersey chapters, with the Raritan River the line dividing the regions. Before taking over as state president in June, Bozzo was president of the South Jersey chapter.

Three priests, according to to Bozzo, belong to the Motorcycle Ministry.

With 65,000 Knights in New Jersey, there seems an untapped membership to join the Motorcycle Ministry, Bozzo said.

Bozzo and his wife, Dawn, are active in their church, Church of the Ascension in Bradley Beach. He is the cantor and children’s choir director. Dawn is a lector and Eucharistic minister.

Bozzo also is the state chair of Knights programs and deputy grand knight of Knights Council 816 in Neptune City.

As for the Motorcycle Ministry, Bozzo said, “What keeps me there is this commitment from other men, who have been Knights longer than me, makes me want to hang with them.

“I can’t believe the Knights of Columbus, 2.8 million members worldwide, $365 million in charity last year. It’s amazing.”

Anyone interested in the New Jersey Knights of Columbus Motorcycle Ministry can telephone 908-349-1882 or email Info@NJKofCMM.com. The website is www.njkofcmm.com.

FOLLOW The Coaster on FACEBOOK here.

subscribe-wide

Related Posts

Bradley Beach Council Votes to Change Appointment Measure

Bradley Beach Council Votes to Change Appointment Measure

December 7, 2023

Bradley Beach Police Blotter

December 5, 2023
Buy a Tree, Help a Library

Buy a Tree, Help a Library

December 4, 2023
Intrigue Continues Over Anonymous Requests

Judge to Bradley Beach: Produce Emails

November 29, 2023
Bradley Beach to Interview Candidates for Administrator

New Bulkhead at Fletcher Lake

November 28, 2023

Bradley Beach Police Blotter

November 7, 2023

Trending This Week

Ocean Grove Group Hosting Winter Social

Asbury Park Man Pleads Guilty To Distribution of Narcotics

December 4, 2023

Bradley Beach Police Blotter

December 5, 2023
Asbury Park’s New Athletic Director

Asbury Park Board of Education Member Resigns Mid-Term

December 6, 2023
Long Branch Preserves 175-year-Old  Church, Adds Senior Housing

Long Branch Preserves 175-year-Old Church, Adds Senior Housing

December 5, 2023

Advertise Online with The Coaster

Advertise on The Coaster to reach countless new customers for your local business.

START ADVERTISING TODAY

E-mail Newsletter

Sign up to get a free weekly newsletter to your inbox.

Subscribe

Contact Us

The Coaster
1011 Main St
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Phone: 732-775-3010
FAX: 732-775-8345
editor@thecoaster.net

Email Newsletter »

All Articles

  • 2023 Articles
  • 2022 Articles

e-Edition

  • All e-Editions
  • Subscribe to e-Edition

Search Our Site

No Result
View All Result

Edit Account
Logout

© 2023 The New Coaster, LLC. All rights reserved. • Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • e-Edition
    • Read Now
    • Subscribe to e-Edition
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Subscribe / Renew

© 2023 The New Coaster, LLC. All rights reserved. • Privacy Policy