The Grand Fathers Motorcycle Club welcomed community members to its annual chili cook-off June 7 at American Legion Post 200 in Lake Elsinore.
The event featured 10 chili entries, with attendees paying a $5 donation to sample each recipe and cast votes for their favorites. The donation also included chili dogs prepared by members of the club. Vendors were also on site, selling items such as beef jerky, leather vests and motorcycle gear.
In addition to the chili cook-off, the club hosted its monthly pancake breakfast earlier in the morning. The breakfast is held on the first Sunday of every month from 8 to 11 a.m. and has been a tradition for more than 17 years.
According to club member Oneway, events such as the chili cook-off and pancake breakfast help support the organization’s efforts to assist local residents facing difficult circumstances.
“The Grand Fathers Motorcycle Club is a motorcycle enthusiast touring club dedicated to helping the community and helping the needy,” Oneway said. “That’s what we live by.”
Founded in 1988, the club supports local families in a variety of ways, from helping cover expenses during emergencies to providing volunteer labor when residents need an extra hand.
“We’ve been heavy in helping the community in all sorts of ways,” Oneway said. “We look for people that are in a hard spot, that are in our local community, and see where we can help.”
One of the group’s largest annual efforts is its turkey feed, which provides local families with a Thanksgiving meal each November, including turkey, ham and side dishes. The club also provides Christmas gifts for children in families facing financial hardship during the holiday season.
Among those the club has supported is Nathaniel, a young boy who survived a devastating car crash in December 2024 that claimed the lives of his father and grandparents. Nathaniel suffered severe burns and lost both arms in the crash. Club members have helped raise funds for his recovery and welcomed him as an honorary member.
“Not only have we helped raise well over $10,000, but we gave him a sense of family,” Oneway said. “We made him his own little cut, and it says honorary grandfather. It creates a sense of being a part of something.”
Nathaniel’s grandmother attended the chili cook-off as a vendor, selling treats from her ice cream truck, Hope Ice Cream. She regularly attends the club’s events to support Nathaniel’s ongoing recovery.
Oneway said the club’s events help residents learn more about Grand Fathers Motorcycle Club while also supporting its charitable efforts.
“We have a very strong community of people that like to be involved and enjoy helping,” he said.
More information about Grand Fathers Motorcycle Club and their work in the community can be found on Instagram at @gfmc_elsinore and on the club’s website.
