Sun Wheelers

This fun and loving bunch rallies right in RV-owners' heaven, and they know it!

Northeast Florida and southeast Georgia might just be the chewy caramel center of the RVing world. Campgrounds abound, the weather is hospitable most of the time, and your motorhome is a welcome part of the scenery, right along with the sunshine and flowers.

So is it any wonder that Sun Wheelers chapter members, who all live in this region, hold their rallies here, too? There are exceptions, but typically rallies occur "within about 125 to 150 miles of Jacksonville," explained chapter president Doug Pearson. With countless RV parks in this area, the Sun Wheelers have "a plethora of possibilities," he said. For example, "There are nine state parks in the state of Georgia that have not only beautiful campgrounds but beautiful golf courses, which makes for a whole lot of fun."

Usually a group of golfers in the chapter will hit the links on the Thursday or Friday of the rally weekend, Doug said, while others set up card games or jigsaw puzzles, or work on crafts. During a recent rally, a group of ladies in the chapter worked to finish knitting projects for the holidays. That's when the group collects donations and white elephant sale proceeds, and sends them to charitable organizations.

Doug said the rally locations are chosen so that members don't have to spend an entire day driving to get anywhere. Future rally locations include St. Augustine, Florida, this month (November 9 through 11); Callahan, Florida, in December (a members-only event); Lake Park, Georgia; and Lake City, Florida.

The Sun Wheelers take July and August off. Doug said the warmer weather does play a part in that, but so does the school year. Being rally-free those months lets families get together with school-age kids who are off for the summer.

The rallies officially begin on Friday, with the group going out to dinner. The rally hosts get to decide on the main entrée for the Saturday potluck feast, with everyone else bringing sides and desserts. The meals are memorable. Fried turkey was a main dish at one rally this year, and the preparation became part of the entertainment!

Having fun is the club's official purpose — it's in the bylaws. Another hallmark is caring. To see it for themselves, potential members are required to attend at least one rally before they submit an application to join. "The warmth of the members, the people in it, is truly what sells this club," Doug said. "I have never been in a group with such warmth, love, and respect for one another than this one displays. I don't have to sell it — they do, and they do it well."

If you live in this balmy part of America and would like more information about the Sun Wheelers, contact the Chapter Services Department at the FMCA national office: (800) 543-3622; e-mail: chapters@fmca.com. After the initiation fee of $9 per person, dues are $10 per person or $20 per couple and include an informative newsletter.

For general information about FMCA chapters, contact

If you would like your chapter to be featured in "Chapter Spotlight," contact FMC associate editor Peggy Jordan at pjordan@fmca.com or (800) 543-3622, ext. 212.