Group volunteers their time to clear hundreds of tires illegally dumped in Kenosha: "Warms your heart"

KENOSHA COUNTY -- FOX6 News on Sunday, May 1st told you about supper club officials, forced to clean up hundreds of tires dumped along Lake Michigan in Kenosha. After that story aired, HobNob officials said they were overwhelmed with offers to help. On Wednesday, May 4th, volunteers showed up for some manual labor.

It was hard work -- hauling more than 150 tires off the rocky Lake Michigan shoreline and up a steep hill to the HobNob parking lot.

Volunteers with Copperheads Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club clear tires near HobNob

The tires were illegally dumped, supper club officials suspect by someone who didn't want to pay the recycling fee.

"It really warms your heart to know this many people will come out and help out," Brian Leffelman said.

Leffelman was the first person to notice the tires, back in March. The pile grew after more illegal dumps.

If it weren't for the volunteers who came out to clean them up, Leffelman's kitchen staff at HobNob would've been tasked with hauling the tires away.

"They're working all the time and they don't have time to spare to move tires up a 45-degree hill," Leffelman said.

The voluntary labor came courtesy of the "Copperheads Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club."

Volunteers with Copperheads Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club clear tires near HobNob

"I've hugged that man from the Copperheads about three times and I'm going to give him another one," Kara Wunderle said.

Using a tow strap, volunteers hauled tires, 15 and 20 at a time.

"Saving the restaurant some time and money. It's an eyesore. I mean, I fish out here on Lake Michigan. It's a beautiful lake and seeing something like that is horrible," Alvin Burdick with Copperheads Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club said.

Volunteers with Copperheads Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club clear tires near HobNob

This meant no more tires floating off into the lake and washing up on nearby properties -- like Allen Sowinski's.

"I never knew a group like this existed -- just to come out of the clear blue and offer to do something like this. I think it's wonderful," Sowinski said.

Volunteers with Copperheads Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club clear tires near HobNob

We're told there are no updates on the investigation into the person or persons responsible for dumping the tires.

Racine Firestone is going to pick up the tires and dispose of them at no cost to the HobNob.

Tires near Lake Michigan in Kenosha County