A group wearing leather vests, long hair and a biker’s attitude marched into the Sparks City Council Chambers on a mission Monday. The Iron Nation Motorcycles club shook hands with the director of the Nevada Patriot Fund and handed over a check for $17,000.

“I want to say publicly how much I appreciate your organization,” said patriot fund director Perry DiLoreto before shaking the hand of Iron Nation president Bob Dawg. “I can tell you that this money goes to a good cause and it is very appreciated.”

According the DiLoreto, 52 soldiers from Nevada have been killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.

“Every one of those families has been contacted in some way (by the fund),” he said.

The money was raised by the motorcycle club during their Sept. 12 “Never Forget 9/11” motorcycle run.

Sparks Mayor Geno Martini got in on the action as the group kicked off the run at Cottonwood Park in Sparks. The mayor received a plaque from the Iron Nation riders, thanking him for his participation.

“Never have I been more proud of an organization than that day at cottonwood park,” Martini said. “They embraced me like I was one of their group. “

Iron Nation has been raising funds for the Nevada Patriot Fund for the past five years through motorcycle runs.

“We raise money for the fund so that the money stays at home,” the Dawg said. “The money is raised at home so it should stay at home.”

The patriot fund was formed in 2003 in order to provide financial support to families of fallen soldiers in northern Nevada. Since its formation, the fund has distributed almost $500,000 to local families.

In November, the number of Americans killed in Afghanistan was 15. October was the deadliest month for U.S. troops in the eight-year war, with 59 dead.