31st annual Toy Run a success

By Mo Cranker on September 10, 2017.

Susan Horn and her grandkids Beau and Jace Benoit wave to the hundreds of riders who took part in this year's Toy Run in support of the Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund. -- NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER

In Medicine Hat, it is something hundreds of families look forward to every year.

Saturday marked the 31st annual Toy Run held in support of the Medicine Hat Santa Claus Fund, an event people have grown to love over the years says promotional director Heather McCaig.

“There’s a lot to love about our Toy Run in Medicine Hat, it’s really unique,” she said. “Per capita, in Western Canada, I think we have one of the biggest ones. To see this many motor cycles in one place, and just the community spirit that you can feel as the run is going on is really rather amazing — it’s definitely something a lot of people look forward to every year.”

This year’s run had roughly 700 riders take part in the annual ride from Irvine into Medicine Hat, raising roughly $20,000 in toys for the Santa Claus Fund.

“The support is just amazing,” said McCaig. “Medicine Hat is a great community with a great heart. To see the great generosity every year no matter what is just amazing. Even with so many big events going on this weekend, we were still able to get around 700 riders. It just shows the commitment level this community has.”

After the ride concluded at the Stampede Grounds, people from the community were invited to a barbecue, where children could take part in a number activities.

There was also a toy drop off at the Stampede Grounds, where people, motorcyclists or not, were encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys for the Santa Claus Fund.

McCaig says she does not see the group stopping this event any time soon.

“This is something we are going to do for as long as possible,” she said. “We’ll be back next year, for sure — I just can’t see us stopping.”

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