What do President Jimmy Carter, Orange County Choppers, and the Ford Motor Company have in common? They all rallied behind Hurricane Katrina victims late last year by auctioning off a Mark LT Chopper—named for Lincoln’s full-size pick-up—at the online auction site eBay. The custom motorcycle raised $81,000 for Operation Home Delivery, Habitat for Humanity International’s rebuilding program for New Orleans and other areas of the Gulf Coast affected by the hurricane.
Since 1976 Habitat for Humanity International has built or rehabilitated more than 150,000 houses for families in need. President Carter’s involvement with the not-for-profit organization began in 1984 when the former president led a work group to New York City to help renovate a 6-story building that housed 19 families.
Before the eBay auction, those who attended the State Fair of Texas had the opportunity to get a close-up look at the custom chopper and meet its builders, Paul Teutel Sr., Paul Teutel Jr., and Mikey Teutel of Orange County Choppers. “I can honestly say that this is probably the classiest looking bike we’ve built at OCC,” says Paul Teutel Sr.
“Fans have been raving about the Mark LT Chopper since the moment we unveiled it,” says Al Giombetti, vice president, North America Sales, Ford Motor Company. “We’re glad we could donate this unique chopper to help people rebuild their lives.”
www.habitat.org
www.fordvehicles.com
www.orangecountychoppers.com