Mavrick Von Haug, right, and volunteers handed out 70 new bicycles to deserving children at a special event at his White Elephant Thrift Store on Saturday afternoon. Peter Day, Lucerne Valley Leader
By Peter Day
Senior Reporter
LUCERNE VALLEY — One by one they came, eyeing the numerous new shiny bicycles all neatly lined up in rows in front of The White Elephant thrift store.
Within an hour on Saturday afternoon, all the bikes were gone, ready to go home to their new, happy owners — deserving children from this small, rural community.
Altogether, several hundred people came to the event hosted by Mavrick Von Haug, a candidate for honorary mayor of his new hometown of Lucerne Valley. A large group of volunteers and Von Haug, who goes by the name Mavrick Harvey as a champion MMA fighter, handed out 70 bicycles and helmets and provided complimentary haircuts, while Los Angeles-based S Five Entertainment provided music and fed 200 people a complete meal of homemade tacos, rice and more.
"I've known Mavrick for 20 years," said S Five Entertainment CEO Oscar G. Gallardo. "Wherever he goes he helps people first."
David Kreps, who works for S Five Entertainment, agreed.
"Mavrick really likes helping people," he said. "You can see it. You can't fake that."
A former MMA champion, Von Haug is currently featured on "Storage Wars" and has appeared in several feature films. He appeared in "Revelation Road: The Beginning of the End" and "Revelation Road 2: The Sea of Glass and Fire." Von Haug stars as Circle Face in "Boone: The Bounty Hunter," which will be released this year.
Prior to acting and moving his family to Lucerne Valley, Von Haug lived a fast-paced lifestyle in Los Angeles and was one of the most feared competitors in a mixed martial arts octagon. From 1999 through early 2006 he was undefeated in 11 fights.
On Saturday a non-stop flow of event attendees asked Von Haug for a photo. He always gladly complied. But it was the children who showed the most excitement with their wide-eyed smiles. At least one child, however, was eager for the event to be over so they could ride their bikes.
"I want to go home now," Tammy Midkiff said one of her children told her.
That moment finally came after the family had enjoyed their meals and received haircuts from a volunteer hair stylist.
Harvey's honorary mayor challenger is Ron Scrivens, a longtime resident and local DJ who spins records at nearby Adelita's Mexican Restaurant. The winner is the one who raises the most money for the Lucerne Valley Chamber of Commerce. The winner will be named in June after the two candidates host several fun fundraising events.