Popular daredevil Evel Knievel once said anybody can jump a motorcycle. The trouble begins when you try to land one.
Local motorcycle riders won’t be taking to the air, but they will be looking to land in the hearts of children throughout Warren County by delivering toys this Christmas.
To help collect toys – and money to buy them – the 17th annual Toy Ride is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10. Riders will leave Plaza Shopping Center at noon and take a detour from their traditional route.
“We’ve done this for years and Larry Goodman has been with us since the very beginning,” said Rob Wolford, one of the Toy Ride founders. “Larry has passed on so he won’t be able to ride with us this year. Since he can’t come to us, we’ll come to him. We’ll be taking a quick drive through Gardens of Memory Cemetery before taking our route through downtown.”
With beautiful weather, the Toy Ride drew 153 bikes last year, along with a number of classic cars. It raised $24,000, the most it had generated in years.
“We take all the money that’s raised, split it in half, and spend it at Big Lots and Walmart to buy new toys,” said Wolford. “All the money stays here in town and it’s used to buy new toys. I don’t want any child to get an old, broken toy for Christmas.”
Wolford said the Toy Run is an all-volunteer effort. “We do all our work for free,” he said.
New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at Plaza Shopping Center on Dec. 10. Monetary donations can also be made at that time or any time leading up to the Toy Ride by calling (931) 247-0331 or (931) 409-3564.
Once the toys are purchased, they are donated to the Warren County Rescue Squad, which has an established distribution network in place.
Toy Ride volunteers will also be visiting area businesses to ask for donations.
“Just look for the ugly guys with tattoos,” said Wolford.