Annual toy run kicks into gear Saturday

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on September 15, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

Southern Alberta motorcyclists are getting revved up to help area children at Christmas.
The 42nd annual southern Alberta Toy Run to help local charities will kick into gear on Saturday with a day of fellowship, fun and giving.
The toy run starts at 8:30 a.m. at Honkers Pub with Santa present until 9:30 a.m. for the kids. The parade of motorcycles leaves the parking lot at 10.
After the parade, organizers will be hosting a poker run to Twin Butte Store and the Smoke shack. Poker hands are $10 each.
“We get support from all over southern Alberta,” said Southern Alberta Bikers president Dallas Harty recently.
Breakfast will be served to the participants on Saturday. The parade goes around the city with teddy bears and toys strapped to bikes. The poker run will feature four to five stops through southern Alberta with the day ending with a banquet.
All proceeds get distributed “to multiple different organizations around southern Alberta that are in need of stuff. Some of it goes to the hospital, some to Harbour House, some to Good Samaritans, some to Streets Alive. We divide it all up and try to support as many organizations and groups as we can,” said Harty.
“A lot of people donate strictly cash so we’ll divide up the cash where ever that can help. One hundred per cent of the proceeds get distributed to different organizations around southern Alberta,” said Harty.
Cash works well for different organizations but the bikers will accept what is offered including clothing, food and toys.
“People can donate whatever they want. If they prefer to drop it off at Honkers, that’s perfect.”
Numbers of participants will vary with weather being a big factor.
“I’ve seen anywhere from 40 bikes to 200. We’re hoping to have 150 to 200 this year. Lethbridge is a bit of a tough community when it comes to bikers because we’re so centralized and there’s so many events going on. We never used to have an issue gathering 150 to 200 bikes but it’s become a bit of a challenge compared to Medicine Hat – they’ll get 700 to a thousand bikes but they draw from such a large riding area,” added Harty.

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