More than 1,000 bikers participated in the 38th Annual Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund Toy Run. Organizers say Saturday's parade was the second largest turn out in its history. The annual toy drive is the charity's largest fundraising event and allows the Santa Claus Fund to provide more than 700 children and their families during the holidays. - NEWS PHOTOS BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
A total of 1,026 bikes hit the pavement Saturday, several carrying more than one rider and most hauling some very important cargo, to take part in the 38th annual Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund Toy Run.
The far-reaching line of motorcycles that paraded from the Irvine Hotel through Dunmore toward the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede grounds was the second largest organizers have seen in the history of the event.
“This has been a blowout year,” said Heather McCaig, communications co-ordinator. “We’ve had lots of community people come out, we have kids in strollers, grandparents. So we’ve had amazing community support this year and we’re so grateful.”
The volunteer organized annual toy drive encourages bikers to ride together for a good cause and make a donation to the Santa Claus Fund. Several bikers strap large plushies and toys which join them on the ride and will eventually make their way in Santa’s sleigh to be given to hundreds of children at Christmas.
Irvine streets rumbled Saturday morning as bikers gathered for a breakfast by donation before hitting the highway toward the Gas City. Police escorted a long line of bikers during the hour-long parade that concluded on Stampede grounds.
Several onlookers gathered along Dunmore Road, some with lawn chairs, to witness the bikers roar through the city.
“I get to watch the headlights in my mirrors and it honestly brings me to tears every single time I see it,” explains McCaig. “Because the generosity of our community is something that a lot of people don’t realize. Medicine Hat can be very generous when it wants to and this is one of the things that it has always supported. We are just so eternally grateful.”
Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance at the Medicine Hat Stampede grounds to help collect the toys and donations after the Toy Run. However, due to the generosity of the community Santa told the News they might not all fit in his sleigh and he will have to call in his elves for extra help.
Donations were also collected from silent auctions, raffles and a barbecue lunch provided by the Kinsmen Club and served by local students from Crescent Heights High School’s leadership team. Dayz Off Pub held an afterparty event that included live music.
“It’s one of those events that really hits home,” said SCF executive director Deanna Doerksen. “You just think of all the kids that are going to wake up on Christmas morning and their lives are going to be touched because our community came together and pulled this off. Once again, it’s amazing, incredible.”
The charity expects to release the final number of toys and dollars collected from the annual toy drive in an upcoming edition of the Medicine Hat News once they have been counted and sorted.
