Riders rev up for a cause: Blue Crew LEMC raises funds for daughter
- Chuck Thompson
- Aug 16
- 4 min read
By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent
Recently, The Blue Crew LEMC held their third annual Poker Run charity event to raise funds for the daughter of Jimmy Prince, a club member that passed away from pancreatic cancer almost two years ago, this October.
The 3rd Annual Poker Run, was held on Aug. 9.
Anyone that wanted to donate and ride was welcomed, as they traversed Cleveland County, going from Shelby, to Boiling Springs and then to Bessemer City, Kings Mountain and then to Grover, making a stop at the fire department where Prince was a volunteer fireman.
“Those were his brothers at the fire department,” said Blue Crew LEMC President, Donnie Chapman. “We did that stop for them.”
The poker run concluded by returning to the club house where the silent auction took place and door prizes were given.
“Repo,” and “JR” as prince was called by his brothers in Blue Crew, was beloved by the club, his neighbors and the Grover Fire Department; anyone that met Prince had a lasting impression of him.
“He was so full of life and made friends anywhere he would go,” said Prince’s mother, Tammy Casper. “What they do for him here, he was loved. This just means so much that they always keep his memory alive.”
Family meant everything to Prince. As Chapman explained, Prince’s devotion to the Grover Fire Department and Blue Crew Motorcycle Club was only rivaled for the love of his wife Amanda and his daughter Shelby Prince.
The week before Blue Crew was schedule to leave for Myrtle Beach to attend Bike Week in May of 2023, Prince received news that shattered the lives of all that loved him.
“He had been having pains in his chest,” Chapman said. “He found out that he had cancer. He did the right thing and took his wife and daughter to the mountains, to spend time with them, instead of going to bike week, because he didn’t know how much time he had left.”
“We did the first poker run for him in August 2023 to raise money for his medical bills,” stated Chapman.
Eventually, the difficult conversations of making plans and arrangements had to happen.
“We had conversations, dad to dad, about what would happen to his daughter,” Chapman said, as he paused to gather his thoughts. “We talked about it and said, ‘we did this poker run for the medical bills but when the time comes for the Good Lord to call you home we will do this in memorial for your daughter.’”
Chapman explained that the money raised his held until Prince’s daughter becomes of legal age and then she can use it towards her education, transportation needs or other living costs.
Prince passed away on October 18, 2023.
“He was family. We knew “JR” (Prince) outside of the club way before then,” added Tiffany Chapman. “He was family to us.” She said the poker run was their way to continue to show the love Prince had for his daughter.
“He was a good friend and just loved people. It’s a way to carry on his legacy, keeping his memory alive, that’s the main thing for us, because he would have done the same thing for anyone else that were doing for his daughter, Shelby.” she added.
Vice President of Blue Crew LEMC, Chris Ledbetter, also noted how Prince was a generous person, a good friend and a family man.
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“Repo was a great and loving father, he would help anyone he could and give you the shirt off his back,” said Ledbetter. “He absolutely loved his daughter with every ounce of his soul.”
Ledbetter continued, “He was loved by brothers and sisters both at Grover Rural Volunteer Fire Department and his brothers with Blue Crew LEMC.
Ledbetter said Prince’s memory will live on after Shelby turns 18, but the funds raised will go to another needed cause.
“We will continue to honor Repo's legacy by still doing the benefit but the money will go to a first responders fund and pay for individuals who wish to pursue careers as police officers, firefighters, EMS.”
Their next charitable event will be the first annual ‘Bikers Supporting Paws for Law’ held on Oct. 18. Registration begins at 9 a.m., at 2115 South Post Rd, Shelby. The entry fee is $25 per person. All funds go to the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office for their K-9 unit.
The ride begins at 11 a.m.
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Chuck Thompson is a reporter for The Shelby Independent.
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