By Emily Evans
The Truth Reporter
The Daughters of the American Revolution honored he Toledo Buffalo Soldiers this past Friday February, 28, at the Maumee Branch Library with an award for excellence in community service.
The brief meeting was nothing less than a joyous occasion with lots of memories being shared and information swapped. The daughters recognized the Buffalo Soldiers and invited them to accept the award and share experiences and further info about the organization with this invitation:
“The DAR CSA for 2024 is presented to Toledo Buffalo Soldiers. This award is given for outstanding volunteer service in the community. The Community Service Award is a national level award, approved by the National Chair. Nominations are submitted by individual chapters, along with supporting documentation, press articles, publications and letters of recommendation. At our chapter meeting a few months ago we heard your description of all the wonderful community service projects sponsored by the Buffalo Soldiers in the Toledo area, and we knew that your organization was more than deserving of the award.
Please accept the NSDAR Community Service Award from the Fort Industry Chapter and accept our thanks for promoting peace and trust in the community.”
“This is our 11th Anniversary and every year we give two scholarships,” said Earl Mack, president post commander of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club. “This year we’re honoring Irin Anderson, the young boy that was killed that went to Maritime Academy. We’re giving a scholarship to a specific graduate of Maritime Academy in his name.”
The Buffalo Soldiers do a lot of community work in helping with the homeless, providing necessary assistance, clothing and food when available and they also assist with community patrol. They also provide life-saving information on how to prepare for disasters and personal safety, assist with free meals to military veterans on Veterans Day and deliver meals to those veterans who are shut in and cannot get out.
The soldiers also offer a workshop called what to do when stopped by the police it provides the citizens and students with options and making the right decisions if stopped by the police so everyone can get home safe.
The soldiers are also a part of a program called “Let’s build beds “which provides bed and bedding for those in need. The program members will come assemble a twin bed for you in your home and provide bedding for children who need a bed. You can find this program on Facebook at build a bed Toledo.There are people out in the community such as this program that are trying hard to make the community better.
On October 1, 2013, six people from Toledo came together and formed the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club. The group was later granted a corporation charter by the Ohio Secretary of State as a not-for-profit corporation.
Later, the IRS approved a determination as a 501(c-3) federal tax exempt charitable organization. The mission of The Toledo Buffalo Soldiers is to represent and educate people about the heritage and rich past of the U.S. Army’s Cavalry and Infantry Buffalo Soldiers, through participating in community service events; assisting in enhancing the quality of life in the community they represent, with emphasis on young people; providing educational opportunities through their scholarship program; partnering with agencies with the same or similar mission and promoting safe and enjoyable motorcycling.”
The contact information for the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, Inc. 6725 W. Central Ave. Ste M – 229, 43617 — telephone/fax 419-536-7048 —website www.toledo Buffalo soldiers.org ,email tbsmc@toledobuffalosoldiers.org