Area bikers plan their annual toy drive
Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 7:39 am
Area bikers plan their annual toy drive
Monday, November 20, 2006 - By Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell - Staff Writer - San Bernardino County Sun - sbsun.com
SAN BERNARDINO - One year, around the time members of the San Bernardino Harley Owners Group deliver toys to Our Lady of Hope Parish, a freak snowstorm hit the San Bernardino Mountains.
The storm, in November 2004, was so fierce that HOG member Daryl "Pappy" Carrol's Harley-Davidson, parked outside his Crestline home, was buried under three feet of snow.
But that didn't stop him from getting down the hill to the old church on Del Rosa Avenue in San Bernardino.
"I loaded up a truck and slid down the highway," said the four-year member of the motorcycle club. "I was determined to deliver those toys."
For nine years, rain, shine or snow, the leather-and-chain-clad bikers have held the toy drive one Sunday morning before Christmas to make the holidays of needy families more festive.
This Sunday morning, about 50 members are expected to show up with roller skates, games, cans of beans and stuffed animals strapped on their bikes.
"I like to bring a baseball mitt for the boys, because the parents can't afford something like that when baseball season comes around, and roller skates for the girls," said Steve Walker, activities officer for the group. "We may be bikers but we are also members of the community who want to give back."
Member Bob Winn, who braved the rain and freezing temperatures for the drive two years ago, typically shows up with instant potatoes, bread and cold hard cash.
Upon the arrival of the cavalcade of motorcycles and some trucks, the Rev. Nick Barille will bless the riders with holy water and give them small pins for their black leather vests.
The donations of toys, bags of food, gift certificates and cash will then be placed in large boxes and given on Dec. 16 at the church to families who have applied in advance.
Many families are familiar with the church because it has a food pantry, open Monday to Thursday mornings.
About 100 applications have been accepted so far and there are 30 families on the waiting list, said Sam Kolendowicz, business manager at the church.
The toy drive really makes a difference in their lives, she said.
"When the Norton Air Force Base was open down the road, this was a nice middle-class neighborhood," she said. "But in the last 15 to 20 years, it has become a poor area, so this is a great help."
HOG members, who ride for fun and also contribute to other charities, said they will help out as long as they can.
"It makes me feel good and it will give me a place up there," said Carroll, as he pointed to the heavens.
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IF YOU GO
The annual San Bernardino Harley Owners Group toy drive will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Our Lady of Hope Parish, 6885 Del Rosa Ave., San Bernardino.
More than 50 bikers will donate toys and food to be distributed by the church to needy families in the area on Dec. 16.
Members of the community are also invited to stop by Sunday to make donations or just admire the group's custom choppers.
Monday, November 20, 2006 - By Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell - Staff Writer - San Bernardino County Sun - sbsun.com
SAN BERNARDINO - One year, around the time members of the San Bernardino Harley Owners Group deliver toys to Our Lady of Hope Parish, a freak snowstorm hit the San Bernardino Mountains.
The storm, in November 2004, was so fierce that HOG member Daryl "Pappy" Carrol's Harley-Davidson, parked outside his Crestline home, was buried under three feet of snow.
But that didn't stop him from getting down the hill to the old church on Del Rosa Avenue in San Bernardino.
"I loaded up a truck and slid down the highway," said the four-year member of the motorcycle club. "I was determined to deliver those toys."
For nine years, rain, shine or snow, the leather-and-chain-clad bikers have held the toy drive one Sunday morning before Christmas to make the holidays of needy families more festive.
This Sunday morning, about 50 members are expected to show up with roller skates, games, cans of beans and stuffed animals strapped on their bikes.
"I like to bring a baseball mitt for the boys, because the parents can't afford something like that when baseball season comes around, and roller skates for the girls," said Steve Walker, activities officer for the group. "We may be bikers but we are also members of the community who want to give back."
Member Bob Winn, who braved the rain and freezing temperatures for the drive two years ago, typically shows up with instant potatoes, bread and cold hard cash.
Upon the arrival of the cavalcade of motorcycles and some trucks, the Rev. Nick Barille will bless the riders with holy water and give them small pins for their black leather vests.
The donations of toys, bags of food, gift certificates and cash will then be placed in large boxes and given on Dec. 16 at the church to families who have applied in advance.
Many families are familiar with the church because it has a food pantry, open Monday to Thursday mornings.
About 100 applications have been accepted so far and there are 30 families on the waiting list, said Sam Kolendowicz, business manager at the church.
The toy drive really makes a difference in their lives, she said.
"When the Norton Air Force Base was open down the road, this was a nice middle-class neighborhood," she said. "But in the last 15 to 20 years, it has become a poor area, so this is a great help."
HOG members, who ride for fun and also contribute to other charities, said they will help out as long as they can.
"It makes me feel good and it will give me a place up there," said Carroll, as he pointed to the heavens.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF YOU GO
The annual San Bernardino Harley Owners Group toy drive will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Our Lady of Hope Parish, 6885 Del Rosa Ave., San Bernardino.
More than 50 bikers will donate toys and food to be distributed by the church to needy families in the area on Dec. 16.
Members of the community are also invited to stop by Sunday to make donations or just admire the group's custom choppers.