Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (December 1, 2019) — The wet weather on Saturday couldn’t stop hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts from helping kids in need this holiday season.
The riders took part in the 25th annual Circle City Toy Run supporting the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. Participants were asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy or make a cash donation.
After the festivities wrapped up downtown, a police escort accompanied the riders to deliver the toys to the Salvation Army’s headquarters.
“Remember when you were a kid and you got that bicycle on Christmas? You couldn’t wait to get out and ride it? Well, here we are on our bicycles, trying to make sure the kids get their presents for Christmas,” said participant Jayson Shinault.
All told, the event raised hundreds of dollars and filled three box trucks full of toys. The Salvation Army says more than 7,000 kids are enrolled in the angel tree program this season.
Augusta, Maine (September 8, 2019) — The Augusta Civic Center was filled with hundreds of toys and motorcycles on Sunday due to the 38th annual Toy Run.
"This event brings together different communities of motorcycle riders to help kids in Maine," Katie Reis said, the coordinator of the toy run and a member of the United Bikers of Maine.
The event is hosted by the United Bikers of Maine, but brings together motorcycle clubs from around the state. "There are Patriot riders, combat riders, and of course United Bikers of Maine," Craig Dufour said, a long-time participant of the toy run. "I've done this event for over 30 years, and I think this is the biggest charity event in the state."
He says the event works by having people bring in toys to donate for kids in need. "It's basically a nice fundraiser and gives the kids that don't have a Christmas, a Christmas," he said.
"We don't want any kids in the state of Maine going without at least a toy for Christmas," Reis said. "We cover all 16 counties, they all get toys including the native american nations in Maine."
This is the first year in the history of Toy Run that the collected toys will not be put on display during a motorcycle parade from the Civic Center to the Windsor Fairgrounds. "We did change this year by having everything done at the Civic Center," Reis said.
That change is because of the 2017 crash that killed two people and injured two more during the parade. "It was a very sad incident," Reis said. "We still want to continue providing for the kids of Maine, so we'll find a different way of doing it."
The accident also prompted changes from Augusta City Council.
Dufour says that it's unfortunate the event doesn't have the parade anymore, but he says he's glad the event is still helping kids all over the state. "On a good note, I think there won't be as many accidents because people are coming in small groups," he said. "It's all about the kids. 100 percent is for the kids. Everything it brings in." "We do have a very poor state, we just want to make a difference in kids lives," Reis said.
North Fort Myers, Florida (June 5, 2019) — Carter Rhodes just turned six years old, celebrating his birthday with two of his favorite things: fire trucks and motorcycles.
Carter has a rare form of muscular dystrophy called Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy, which weakens the muscles around his lungs and spine, making it hard for him to breathe.
"As you can see behind me, he has several breathing machines that he has to use every single day. He has to sleep with it, if he doesn't he could pass away," said Tara Rhodes, Carter's mother.
The Rhodes family travels mainly outside of Southwest Florida for Carter's medical treatment to places like Orlando, Maryland, and Philadelphia, where Carter gets spinal surgery twice a year.
Medical bills on top of these travel expenses can get expensive, so groups like Ronin Riding Club, a local motorcycle club in Lee County, tries to help out.
Tara says the money they raise helps to cover most of the costs when they travel.
"Able to pay for our airfare, pay for our food, and the transportation while we're there from the airport to the hospital… but they've really been there since day one of him having surgeries," she said.
For his birthday, Ronin gave Carter a year-round family pass to Disneyworld and a new laptop. Another motorcycle group called Rebel Riders Club raised over $1,300 for Carter presenting it to him with a check.
Most of the riders tell me they just enjoy being around Carter.
"It's astounding to see his personality… he's always got a smile on his face, and he never lets anything get him down," said Wood, the national director of Ronin Riding Club.
Even though Carter was the one opening presents, family and friends say Carter is the best present of all.
"Cause they love Carter. His personality is infectious," Tara said.
