K-Dogs Kidz Mission rides to raise money to stop bullying
ZELIENOPLE — The Butler County Chapter of K-Dogs Kidz Mission held a two-hour ride that began and ended at Zelienople Community Park on Saturday to raise money to help bullied and abuse children.
About 150 motorcyclists took part in the chapter’s second annual ride that ended with a cookout at the park.
Don Rozman of New Castle founded the non-profit K-Dogs to keep the memory of his late son, Kyle, alive. Kyle was a passenger in a car that was struck by another vehicle in Allegheny County eight years ago when he was 11 years old.
He said Kyle loved riding on his motorcycle and in his Chevrolet Camaro with him. Kyle’s classmates thought it was cool when Rozman drove him to school on his bike or in his Camaro. He said Kyle used to ask him if he could pick up some other kids who didn’t fit in at school.
“He grew up with anti-bullying,” Rozman said.
George Knochel, of Butler, who is president of the Butler County chapter, said most of the children referred to K-Dogs have mental or physical disabilities.
The organization meets the the children and their parents, and tries to resolve issues. The group tries to lift the children’s self-esteem by holding birthday rides, picking them up from school or taking them out for ice cream, Knochel said.
“We are the parents’ last hope,” Knochel said
He said some schools object to the group getting involved in bullying cases because they have anti-bullying policies, and the group does not interfere with cases in which police are involved.
All the money K-Dogs raises is used to help children, he said. The group gives educational pamphlets to parents, gives T-shirts to children, and distributes bracelets and candy during parades. The Allegheny County chapter does in-school presentations, he said.
“Every shirt you buy buys your shirt and a kid’s shirt,” Knochel said.
