Santa and Mrs. Claus pose Saturday for a photo in front of a mountain of toys donated by Hatters during the 39th annual Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund Toy Run outside Higdon Hall at the Stampede. Organizers say more than 800 bikers and more than 1,000 participants united to ride for a good cause over the weekend on Saturday.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Generous Hatters and southern Albertans came together over the weekend to donate a mountain of toys and money to directly support children and families this Holiday Season during the 39th annual Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund Toy Run.
Every year, the Santa Claus Fund serves hundreds of youth and their families by providing gifts for the kids and ensuring a full Christmas dinner on the table.
“And that need keeps growing,” said Toy Run spokesperson Heather McCaig. “The generosity and the heart of those riders and the community of Medicine Hat is like nothing we see anywhere else in Western Canada, we have the most amazing city.”
More than 1,000 participants and 800 bikes, including Santa and Mrs Claus, hit the highway Saturday for a far-reaching parade with toys strapped to their motorcycles that will eventually find their way under the trees of those who need them most.
“I shed tears watching the line of bikes behind me,” said McCaig, who rode at the front of the parade. “I could see them in my rearview mirror as far as the highway went, and it really does bring me to tears to see that every single year.”
The Toy Run kicked off in the late morning from the Irvine Hotel, and carried down the Trans-Canada toward Medicine Hat. The ride concluded outside Higdon Hall at the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede for a large community event that included the mountain of toys, live music, a barbecue, silent auction and raffles.
“We cannot thank the whole community of Medicine Hat enough – the donors, the bands, the people who volunteered their time – and everyone who came and brought toys today, your hearts are amazing, thank you so much,” said. McCaig.
The annual volunteer-organized toy drive encourages not just bikers, but the community, to ride together for a good cause while making a donation toward the Santa Claus Fund. The ride is used as a major “kickoff” event for the Santa Claus Fund and a way to help Santa fill his bag of toys.
“It’s the kickoff for the giving season for the Santa Claus Fund and the number of families that we service, which is close to 1,000 families.”
Last year, the Santa Claus Fund was able to help more than 1,200 children and 900-plus families.
McCaig says along with the generosity of adults, several local youth also participate and volunteer for the charity toy drive.
“And that’s one of the reasons Crescent Heights High School leadership (education program) comes is because they are giving back and doing volunteer work for the community,” said McCaig. “When they find out how many other kids they help, and the reason why we’re helping, it really does make them want to be part of things like this.”
The Santa Claus Fund is accepting donations at its Holiday home located at Medicine Hat Mall near the Cineplex. Donations can also be dropped off at Badlands Harley-Davidson in Dunmore.
The charity will host its annual Spirit of Giving Gala and Christmas Tree Auction in November.
Early December sees the popular Santa Claus Fund Auction, which last year raised more than $90,000.
