Frigid weather can’t slow toy run

[totalmotorcycle]

Frigid weather can’t slow toy run
Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - BY TOMMY KOPETSKIE, Staff writer - Brunswick Beacon - brunswickbeacon.com



Karl Deweese of Wilmington was one of 100 bikers who took part in last Saturday’s 14th annual Brunswick County Motorcycle Enthusiasts Toy Run. Following the 60-mile poker run, riders took 70 children shopping with proceeds from the event.


Braving temperatures that could make leather shiver, nearly 100 motorcyclists and more than a dozen classic automobiles took to the road during Saturday’s 14th annual Brunswick County Motorcycle Enthusiasts Toy Run.

“It was so cold, you could barely tell who was signing in because everyone was so bundled up,” said Jerome Munna, organizer of the event.

Despite early morning temperatures in the upper teens and lower 20s, the run covered more than 60 miles of pavement and raised $28,000 through advertisements, T-shirt sales and donations, Munna said.

Following the run, participants took more than 70 children shopping at Wal-Mart in Shallotte Saturday afternoon and approximately 30 more children will receive gifts from proceeds raised at the event.

"It was 17 degrees when I pulled out this morning," said Richard White, Boiling Spring Lakes police chief and president of the Brunswick County chapter of the Blue Knights. “I came anyway because it is great to see the appreciation that the children have for this event.



“To see them look up at you and say ‘thank-you’ means a lot."

The children were selected on the basis of need by Kim Jenkins of Highest Praise Worship Center in Shallotte, Munna said.

"Kim was a lifesaver to pull this together this year," Munna said.

Despite the cold, riders were lined open outside the Wal-Mart shopping center in Shallotte well before the event's 11 a.m. start.

“This is probably the coldest it's ever been in my four or five years doing this," said Tom Thomas of Boiling Spring Lakes. “But it's a good cause, dedicated to helping area children, so I don't mind.

"Plus, I'm originally from Jersey, so I'm used to weather like this."

Munna said he is always surprised at the number of donations people are willing to give this time of year.

"Several people came up giving pretty large donations, there was one woman who actually bought a few gifts and brought them out for us," Munna said.

Besides buying gifts, money raised from the toy run will go toward purchasing five computers for children in need, Munna said. Five $1,000 college scholarships will also be awarded this spring.

"I'd like to thank the whole community for their support," Munna said. "Without them we couldn't do this.

"We have had outstanding support every year."

Edgar Wooten of Supply was the lucky winner of the 2007 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, which was raffled off during the event.

Planning for the 15th annual toy run will begin with a kickoff sometime in April, Munna said.