‘Ecstatic’ turnout for Toy Run
Andrews - There will be Christmas this year for all children in Cherokee County, as bikers made the first steps to guarantee that Saturday during the Toys for Tots Toy Run.
“We’re ecstatic with the turnout,” said Corey Wike, one of the organizers from Western NC Wingmen motorcycle club.
There were 102 bikes gathered in the parking lot of Ronnie’s Restaurant and registered for the event after the club estimated 60 would show. Last year’s Toy Run in July had 40 motorcycles with 52 riders.
“This is, by far, the best year we’ve ever had,” said Don Slifer, Toys for Tots’ local coordinator.
After leaving Ronnie’s, the bikes traveled to the four lane and through the Nantahala Gorge to the Western NC Wingmen motorcycle club clubhouse in Bryson City, where there were raffles and a 50/50 for the cause. The event raised an undetermined amount.
This is the first time in the event’s 13 years that the Wingmen have sponsored the event, and
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Slifer was happy the group stepped forward to help. He believes the event was successful because the word got out to the biker community, thanks to the Wingmen as well as the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.
“If we didn’t step up, a lot of kids wouldn’t get Christmas,” said Bubba Morin, one of the Wingmen organizers.
This was the 10th or 12th Toy Run that Mike Luce of Blairsville, Ga., has participated in. He wanted to make sure kids got something for Christmas, having witnessed a lot of kids not receiving anything when he was growing up.
“They’re kids, man,” Luce said. “Every kid deserves a toy.”
Slifer said everyone he has talked with thinks the need will be greater this year, since the coronavirus is expected to be around longer and families have already taken a financial hit.
“We anticipate there’s going to be families that have never asked for help before,” Slifer said. “I definitely think people understand how tough Christmas may be this year.”
The local Toys for Tots program served 1,003 children last year. In previous recession years, the organization helped about 1,300 children,. Leaders think it could come close to that number this year, although they admitted it’s hard to project.
The organization raises funds in addition to collecting toys because it often gets requests for types of toys that aren’t donated. While they get lots of toy donation for younger children, items that appeal to preteens and teenagers aren’t often donated. The organization uses those financial donations to purchase those requested toys.
Slifer hopes the club will help for many years to come. The club enjoys being able to do things for the community, Morin said. He and Wike said they always dreamed of hosting a yearly charity event like the Toy Run.