By Casey Richardson
A unique specialty bike aimed at supporting Penticton’s Discovery House is taking shape, with about 25% of the construction completed.
Discovery House announced its Chopper of Hope fundraiser in late January and shared an exclusive update on the bike build with Castanet this week.
This initiative, presented by Bannister Ford Penticton, features a custom-built chopper, being hand-crafted from January to April, where one fortunate supporter will win this dream bike.
The fundraiser honors the memory of Jerome Abraham, the former executive director of Discovery House, who sadly passed away last year after battling cancer.
A 1971 Harley Davidson rigid frame Springer is being uniquely crafted by a dedicated team of volunteers, led by Darrell Richards at his motorcycle shop, Sinister Speed Co.
The bike is being constructed from the ground up, with meticulous attention given to the frame and finishing paintwork.
Richards attempted to secure a spot on Orange County Choppers in 2020, pledging to donate the profits from the completed bike back to the community when it would be raffled off.
Although he didn’t succeed, the aspiration to host another chopper fundraiser continued.
Board member Jimmy Slimz mentioned that he and Richards presented the idea to the board around six months ago. They successfully secured funding, purchased a frame, and commenced the bike-building process.
“An essential part of that goal was to involve the clients at Discovery House,” Slimz explained. “Every Wednesday night, we invite two clients to join us for about three hours to work on the bike.”
Richards noted that a key condition for using his workshop was ensuring client participation.
“Discovery House kindly allowed clients to come to the shop,” he said. “It’s been a valuable experience; it offers me insight into their daily lives.”
On Wednesday, Jason Schafer and Shannon Masuskapoe, both participating in recovery for over 80 days, joined Slimz and Richards.
Masuskapoe mentioned being “voluntold” to help, which he welcomed.
“It’s teaching me how to engage with the community rather than just take from it. I want to give back,” he said. “I aim to raise awareness about addiction and mental health, as there’s a stigma surrounding addiction.”
Schafer shared that he has a background with motorcycles.
“It brings back fond memories of childhood when I wasn’t getting into trouble,” he added. “It’s an enriching experience. It warms my heart to know I’m part of something meaningful.”
Slimz, who was a client at the house a decade ago, views this project as a way to give back and support those currently in the program.
As of mid-February, the team has invested countless hours into building the bike.
“We’re nearing the completion of the mock-up stage, meaning the bike is assembled as we envision it,” Slimz noted.
After that, the bike will be disassembled again for painting and additional customizations.
“Once that’s done, we’ll reassemble the bike with the clients for the final touches.”
The four participants expressed their pride in the progress achieved so far.
Richards described the bike as a “rolling piece of art symbolizing sobriety and new beginnings.”
The fundraiser is currently seeking businesses and individuals to become sponsors.
“We are still on the lookout for more sponsors,” Slimz said. “This requires comprehensive support from local businesses, residents, and, of course, our shared time to bring it all together. So, there’s been significant involvement from all sectors.”
“For Jimmy and me, especially as passionate riders, motorcycles mean more than just machines—they embody personality and life, and this one is already establishing its own identity.”
The chopper has temporarily been named Hope.
Once the bike is finalized, it will be revealed in a special ceremony to commence raffle ticket sales.
Raffle tickets will be available from May 1, 2025, to October 31, 2025.
During this period, the bike will feature in a community roadshow, appearing at local events like Peachfest and the beach cruise.
All proceeds will directly benefit Discovery House, which offers support for wellness, recovery, and improved quality of life for individuals facing addiction challenges.
The winner will be announced in November 2025.
For more details on sponsorship, contact community engagement coordinator Dennis Sweetnam at [email protected] or call 778-931-1464.
Photo: Casey Richardson
Photo: Contributed
