ROCKLAND — The Devils Pride motorcycle club had fun with its delivery of a donation check to a worthy cause on Saturday, not just because members kept the director of Rockland’s Emergency Warming Center in suspense as to the donation amount, but by arriving in fashion to, and taking part in, a public event that further spread the community support.

As Rockland organizations set up for a Trunk or Treat in the Flanagan Community Center (Rec Center) parking lot, a motorcycle entered the space. Bob had arrived, wearing a Halloween mask; his skeleton pal, Lloyd, sitting tall on the passenger mount. Eventually, a couple more motorcycles arrived. Another skeleton appeared.

Approximately 45 minutes prior to the start of the Trunk or Treat, club members and EWC director Jessica Bergelin gathered in the Rec Center gymnasium, the site of the funds’ generosity. Henry Hustus presented the check while members of the club strained to catch  Bergelin’s reaction as she read the money line. $5,195 is no small amount to a warming center with no City or State funding, reliant solely on donations, and this year aiming to be open on 68 consecutive days from December 23 to the end of February, depending on volunteers.

"We really do need this [money]," said Bergelin, who has taken over the leadership role this year. "It'll go a long way."

Being able to provide consecutive nights benefits the guests the most, according to Bergelin. 

"If you can meet their basic needs, then they don't have to spend all day long figuring out how to meet those needs," she said. 

Instead, they can take that time to figure out how they will put support systems in place, and then start doing that.

"They are working in a way that they can move forward," she said. "Because, they are not thinking about: where am I going to sleep on Thursday night?"

Each year since its inception six years ago, Devils Pride has been fundraising and donating. For their biggest yearly fundraising, members choose one organization or program to support, vet that cause through interviews, and then donate all funds raised in that year to that organization. Last year, they donated to the Atlantic Academy, in Camden, which garnered $3,800 from club fundraising, plus another $200 from a separate entity. And, if that's not enough, Devils Pride members also donate to families who have next to nothing.

As they recount their stories of giving, mostly from their own pockets, their eyes sparkle. One story triggers another story, and another. They describe children whose eyes grow large at the items entering the houses, and their parents, who are floored by the support. Club members say, without a doubt, it’s a good feeling.

"That's what we do," said one biker. "That's what it's all about."

Beyond the wallet, Devils Pride also helped at the warming center last year, staying for hours during snow storms, bringing in pizza lunches when no one could leave.

On October 24, 2026, after presenting the check, Devils Pride could have left. Instead, they continued giving, at the Trunk or Treat, handing out candy and smiles to the children and families.

Upcoming volunteer opportunities for the Rockland's Emergency Warming Center 

Two shifts per night, two people per shift, and Director Bergelin is there throughout. Some volunteers provide hot dinner meals, and new this year, St. Peter's Church will provide hot breakfasts at their location immediately following morning closure of the Rec gymnasium. For more information about 2026 training opportunities, click the following: Volunteer training session for Rockland's Emergency Warming Center.

The EWC now has a Facebook page.

See our previous article regarding the EWC

Rockland's Emergency Warming Center sees increase in use, asks to become City department

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com