For the past 21 years on the 1st Saturday of every November, The Mid Ohio Harley Owner's Group (MO-HOG) gathers at the local Harley dealership for the last "official" ride of the 2007 season. (Pictured, is my hubby, at our house, preparing to leave for the ride).The destination is one of the most anticipated of the year... "Toy Time"
(a local charity that volunteers takes used bicycles & toys, restores them & then hands them out to underprivileged children for Christmas. They also welcome new toys to be donated.)A month or so prior to the annual Toy Run, MO-HOG members collect used bicycles & toys, then drops them off at the dealership for storage until the big day.
On that day, they are encouraged to bring at least 1 new toy per rider.
This year there was an extra special push for donations. Late this summer "Toy Time" was under almost 2 feet of water. The unusual downtown flood destroyed nearly everything that was already collected.
After a FREE hearty breakfast, (pancakes, ham & eggs), 5 trailers of bicycles & toys, approximately 71 Harley's, & 2 police escorts lined up & started the rumble of engines. This is the only time in which designated members are assigned to block off the downtown streets during the parade down to "Toy Time".
Upon arrival, each person is allowed to tour the building. According to Hubby, the effects of the flood could not be seen.
Once the bicycles & toys are unloaded a special presentation from Mr. Hale (owner of Hale's Harley Davidson) is all that is left before heading out to a local establishment for social time & FREE lunch.
The cost of the ride is $10 with a new toy or $15 without. ALL monies are donated to "Toy Time". There is also a collection just before leaving Hale's. This year the club raised over $1400.
However, that is not all... customers of Hale's had the opportunity to add to it. All total, an additional $800 was donated from Hale's.
Furthermore, a poker run in honor of "Toy Time" presented them with an additional $2500!
According to the coordinator, he looks forward to this day with as much anticipation as a child does to Christmas morning, because MO-HOG members are one of their largest contributors.
KUDOS to my fellow MO-HOG members for keeping up with this wonderful tradition!! Being sick with bronchitis, I did not get to make this year's chilly, yet beautiful short ride. (Side note: to myself, I had planned a few weeks ago I was going to ride this year. (Last year & prior years (according to hubby) I had wimped out & rode down in my truck.) Since I missed it completely, I participated by giving Hubby a teddy bear for donation. (Some riders will strap teddy bears & other stuffed animals to their Harley.)
I am writing this article to encourage you to make some type of donation to your local Toy Time, Angel Tree, Operation Christmas Child, Salvation Army, or whatever. PLEASE, help put a smile on a child's face & show them the love they deserve!
The angel tree program is pretty cool too. We had an announcement at our Church for that today.
ReplyDeleteOur local harley group does the same thing. I always help them out
ReplyDeleteThats wonderful...I'm glad it was a successful year. We have the annual Toys for Tots run up here in Maine too. Hubby and I have ridden twice since we moved back....its alot of fun and I always get a kick out of these tough motorcyle guys riding around with a pink elephant strapped behind them!
ReplyDelete