When Mike McDonald received a raffle ticket as a Father’s Day present two months ago, he filed it away and pretty much forgot about it until the phone rang shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday.
It was at that moment the Leonard resident found out he was the proud new owner of a one-of-a-kind, custom-built Orange County Chopper valued at more than $50,000.
‘I’ve never owned anything like this before that’s for sure,? said McDonald, who’s been riding motorcycles since his high school days.
McDonald was the winner of a ‘T-Rex Soft Tail? chopper raffled by the Jessica Nagle Wilson Charitable Foundation during the 10th Annual Woodward Dream Cruise. Approximately 1,200 $100 tickets were sold for the raffle.
Jessica Ann Nagle-Wilson was a 26-year-old Hazel Park Police Officer who was shot to death responding to an animal complaint on July 28, 2002.
As she exited her patrol car, a man suddenly opened fire on her with a shotgun, striking her in the face, neck and stomach. She was able to return fire and wounded the attacker. Although she was wearing her vest, she suffered fatal wounds and died at the hospital. Her attacker was sentenced to life in prison in July 2003.
To honor her memory, Jessica’s family established a charitable foundation which supports local law enforcement agencies, sponsors a scholarship program for high school graduates going into a Criminal Justice program and is working to build an animal shelter.
It was McDonald’s wife, Debi, who purchased the $100 raffle ticket for him after reading newspaper articles about the foundation and its fund-raiser.
Debi felt a special connection to the Jessica’s parents because her brother, Steven Guibord, is the police chief for Naples City, Utah and her son, Trevor McDonald, is a senior at Ferris State University majoring in Criminal Justice.
In fact, Jessica graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 2000, the same year Trevor began his college career there, but the two never met, according to Debi.
Debi exchanged personal e-mails with Jessica’s mom, Debbie Nagle, and established a relationship.
‘When you have family in law enforcement, you’re like one big family,? Debi said. ‘When one goes down, it really gets to you.?
Debi said she purchased the raffle ticket because of the charitable work it supported more than for the bike itself.
‘I really didn’t buy it to win a motorcycle ? you know you don’t ever think you’re going to win,? she said. ‘It was for the cause.?
When he received the ticket in a Father’s Day card, Mike said knowing where the $100 went ‘felt good.?
‘The thought behind it is what was really touching,? he said. ‘Actually winning was a bonus.?
And what a bonus it was.
For those readers who don’t know, Orange County Choppers is a company based in Rock Tavern, New York (80 miles from New York City) and the focus of the Discovery Channel’s weekly series ‘American Chopper,? which airs 10 p.m. Mondays.
Only 150 Orange County Choppers are custom-built annually by Paul Teutul, Sr. (company founder, custom chopper builder and rider), Paul Teutul, Jr. (Chief Designer and Fabricator) and the company’s staff of 20 employees. McDonald’s bike has the distinction of being the first Orange County Chopper in Michigan.
Prior to winning the bike, McDonald had never seen it, not even a photo. It wasn’t until he drove down to Ferndale (where the raffle was held) shortly after receiving the phone call that he laid eyes on his cool new ride for the first time.
‘I loved it,? McDonald said. ‘Having seen the show, I know how radical (the bikes) can get. I was a little intimidated by the idea. But once I saw it . . .it was very tastefully done and a fitting tribute to the cause they’re trying to promote. It’s really a work of art.?
Besides a sleek design, tons of chrome and 100-plus horsepower engine loud enough to wake up all of Leonard, the 470-pound bike with only 10 miles on it features a blue-and-silver custom paint job, the colors of the Hazel Park Police Department.
On the rear fender appears a picture of a badge bearing Jessica’s officer number (233), a rose and the date she was killed in the line of duty, which in police circles is referred to as the ‘End of Watch.?
‘We’ll cherish it,? said McDonald noting he would be happy to use the chopper to help promote the Jessica Nagle Wilson Charitable Foundation in ‘any way we can.?
‘If they need us to take it somewhere, we told them we’d do it.?
Jessica’s family ‘told us they were really happy we won, which made us feel really good,? Debi said. She noted, ‘It’s kind of sad to win something like this? given the senseless tragedy which made it possible.
The McDonalds are hopeful this article about their good fortune will generate more publicity for and interest in the Jessica Nagle Wilson Charitable Foundation.
For more information about the Jessica Nagle Wilson Charitable Foundation log on to the organization’s website www.jessicanaglewilson.com or write to P.O. Box 26117, Fraser, MI 48026.