‘Unchained’: Supporting each other, giving back

MOSES LAKE — Members of the Unchained Brotherhood MC (Motorcycle Club) were on Stratford Road the first two Saturdays in December, just like they’ve been every year for more than a decade.

The wind – a cold wind at that – was blowing like crazy, right down Stratford Road, but members of the club had their signs out and the Christmas stockings they used to collect donations.

The money and toys were destined for Operation Friendship, the toy distribution sponsored each year by the Moses Lake Food Bank. The Unchained Brotherhood has participated every December for 17 years. Founder Jack Watrous, also known as Papa Jack, said it’s a way to move forward and keep fighting the good fight.

“We like to give back to the community we’ve taken so much from,” Papa Jack said.

Unchained Brotherhood members also help on Operation Friendship’s distribution day, which this year was Saturday. Club members help sort, bag and deliver toys.

“It all goes to the kids. We don’t keep any of it,” he said.

“Merry Christmas to ya!” Watrous called to passers-by Dec. 11, and drivers waved back and rolled down their windows for candy canes and to make donations.

“Look at you, dancing on the corner,” said a friend who stopped by the Unchained Brotherhood tent.

The club has been raising money for the toy drive so long that men and women who were kids tagging along with their parents on those first toy drives are now bringing their own kids, Watrous said.

Food bank director Peny Archer said Unchained Brotherhood members approached the food bank all those years ago, asking if and where they could help.

“They’re a wonderful bunch of guys,” Archer said.

And their looks can be deceiving at first.

“They don’t look like Christmas angels,” Archer said.

But when people realize how dedicated Unchained Brotherhood members are to the community, that perspective changes.

“They’ve got hearts of gold,” Archer said. “They’ve just been an astronomical help to the toy drive.”

Addiction can dig deep into a person, and it can be hard to break away. In addition, addiction can leave a trail of damaged relationships behind it, and can have a negative impact on the community. The Unchained Brotherhood works to help its members fight back against addiction, to work on those relationships, and to help their communities.

Watrous and current club president Chris Brokke, also known as Twitch, recited the groups’ creed.

“Our sole purpose is to provide an atmosphere of recovery and recreation for the male biker who chooses not to fight addiction alone,” Watrous said.

The toy drive is the club’s biggest charitable project, although it has other projects during the year.

And that chilly day wasn’t a deterrent to the members.

“We’ve been out here in colder weather,” Brokke said.

Unchained Brotherhood members and their families take the money they raise and go shopping at the Ephrata Walmart.

Guys are the members, but families are welcome – and indeed, crucial.

Erin Tompkins, her husband Mike and their family drove up from the Tri-Cities Dec. 11 to help with the toy drive.

“It is very family-oriented,” Erin Tompkins said. “The families are definitely always involved. We’ve always got kids running around.”

The support provided by the club has been crucial for Mike Tompkins, Erin said.

“A clean and sober support system,” she said. “Day or night support for each other.”

The Unchained Brotherhood also is a place to get together and have fun with people who have shared similar experiences. The goal is to provide support for each other, so no one has to fight the fight alone, Brokke said.

“Like-minded people. We’re all after the same thing,” Brokke said.

Watrous said the Unchained Brotherhood started in Moses Lake and has since expanded to other chapters around the state, including Everett and Tacoma.

“They do a lot for this community,” Archer said, and don’t get as much recognition as they deserve.

People who want more information on the club can contact a member through the group’s social media page, Unchained Brotherhood MC Moses Lake.