Looks can be deceiving.
The Prince Rupert Harley Riders have proved that for the past 31 years by holding the Toy Run annually. This year the poker run and following dance was held on Oct. 13.
Dressed in leather attire driving Harley Davidson and Honda motorcycles, riders helped make the holidays a happy time for underprivileged children by doing what they love; cruising on their bikes and putting on a huge party.
The Toy Run is put on to collect toys and money for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Hamper program that ensures all children have presents to open on Christmas morning.
This year approximately 60 riders stopped at locations such as the Curling Rink, the Fire Hall in Port Edward, Chances Gaming Centre and the Belmont to socialize and eat. Participants drew a card at each stop, with the riders who have the best and lowest poker hands at the end of the run winning a cash prize.
At the end of the poker run, some riders even drove through Johnny B’s before heading to the dance at the Fishermen’s Hall that evening.
Last year the group raise $10,000 and collected over 250 toys. Totals raised this year were not available by deadline time, but look for more on the 2012 Toy Run in the coming weeks.
The first Toy Run was held in 1993 by a small group of bikers in the Lower Mainland who wanted to do something nice for underprivileged children in their area. Today, the Toy Run takes place in communities all over North America.
