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Farewell Ride With Santa
The Brazil Fraternal Order of Eagles #274 will have a final ride with Santa supporting the Brazil Police Department’s 2024 Shop with A Cop program on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
It will be a bittersweet end for the annual benefit ride that has been around for eight years.
Eagles President Robbie Litz said this year’s goal is to top $7,000, one of the club’s largest donations in 2109. Police Chief Clint McQueen confirmed then that it was the largest donation by any community group to support the annual program for needy children.
Litz said numerous Eagle Riders, veterans’ groups, and JEEP groups from around Indiana have been contacted to participate this year in saying “Farewell” to Santa. The hope is to get more than 100 motorcycles for the ride.
Litz, AKA Santa, enjoyed participating in the event and leading the motorcycles during the ride as the “jolly old elf himself.”
Litz is experiencing some serious health issues that will slow him down, and his doctor has told him it would be best to get rid of his motorcycle.
“I love kids,” said Litz, who has subbed for Santa for over eight years and enjoys meeting thousands of children. “And that is all this is about, ensuring children have a better Christmas. I never had children of my own, but I have children in my life now.”
Litz enjoys running into children when it’s not Christmastime.
“They see me with my beard in at Walmart and point me out,” he said.
As Litz fights his health problems, he plans to stay active.
“I will have to shave off my beard,” said Litz, thinking it will grow back quickly. “It has before. It just takes some time.”
If people want to donate to the ride, Litz said they can come to the Brazil Eagle’s Aerie #274, 122 East National Avenue, in Brazil, on Saturday, September 28, to donate.
Registration kicks off at 9 a.m., with kickstands up at 11 a.m. T-shirts are also availble.
“We hope those who are young at heart join us that day by gathering at the corner of State Road 59 and US 40 while the riders leave at 11 a.m.,” said Litz. “We will have a box where people can donate, too.”
For those who want to participate in the event after the riders return, there will be a live auction at 5 p.m., entertainment following the auction, and a sloppy joe or hotdog dinner to enjoy.
Over the years of being Santa, Litz says, “it has been a cool experience” meeting so many young children and helping keep the Christmas spirit alive for so many.
“It’s been a pretty awesome experience,” said Litz, who enjoys seeing kids’ eyes light up when they see him around town. “They know that Santa can get the sniffles but is always ready by Christmas Eve. Santa may get down, but he is never out.”
To donate to support the Shop With A Cop program anytime throughout the year, stop by the Brazil Police Department, 401 West National Avenue, Brazil, during regular business hours.
Each year the Shop with A Cop event helps provide Christmas for at least 80-90 children a year.