Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Israel Guzman said it touched his heart to see local businesses step forward and help a worthy cause.

On Monday, he expressed his gratitude by awarding certificates of appreciation to William Muse, owner of Muse Collision, and Rajnikand Patel, owner of the Dairy Queen in Hinesville. Both men raised $200 each to benefit the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club Chapter 14, of which Guzman serves as the vice president.

The Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club Inc. is a nonprofit fraternal organization consisting of active and retired law-enforcement officers who enjoy riding motorcycles. Guzman said each year, the Brunswick Police Department sponsors the ride, and the motorcyclists are escorted by patrol vehicles from Brunswick to St. Augustine.

“It is a law-enforcement motorcycle club where we teach and encourage safety in motorcycles,” he said. “The members are all law-enforcement officers, and we do lots of fundraising events for various charities, and our main charity is for law-enforcement officers and their families who were killed or injured in the line of duty.”

Guzman said Chapter 14, out of Brunswick, serves the South and Coastal Georgia communities.

“This certificate was presented to recognize your outstanding services and support of the Blue Knights Chapter 14 Memorial Ride,” Guzman said as he handed each man a framed certificate. “It is such a great honor and privilege to know that we have businesses like yours in our community with such generosity for our local organizations and law enforcement officers.”

Muse and Patel both spoke highly of the group.

“I honestly think law enforcement is underpaid for what they do, and they are always putting their life on the line for us,” Muse said.

“It’s a good charity, and anytime we are able to help it’s a good thing,” Patel added.

The Blue Knights have more than 600 chapters and 20,000 members in 24 countries.