Bikers gear up for 11th annual Toy Run

[totalmotorcycle]

Bikers gear up for 11th annual Toy Run
Motorcyclists will meet at church, then spend day delivering gifts to kids around Gaston County
Thursday, November 30, 2006 - By JEFFERSON GEORGE - Charlotte Observer - charlotte.com/mld/observer/




More than 1,200 motorcycles will rumble from Belmont to Cherryville on Saturday during the 11th annual Gaston County Toy Run for Kids.

Organized by several area motorcycle clubs, the charity event starts at 10 a.m., when riders will gather at the Ranlo Church of God, 1800 Spencer Mountain Road, in Ranlo.

At 11:30 a.m., motorcyclists and trucks loaded with gifts will begin a circuit through Gaston County, stopping at churches, schools and other locations in Belmont, Gastonia, Bessemer City, Cherryville and Dallas.

"It takes all day, but it's worth every minute of it to see kids smiling," said Ken Ervin, a retired Gaston County police officer and a member of the Blue Knights motorcycle club, one of the groups participating in the event.

At each stop, Ervin said, riders will give new toys to children in need. The clubs have been raising money for several months to buy toys, he said, and also have accepted donations of new, non-gift-wrapped toys.

The annual toy run began when members of the local chapter of Soldiers for Christ Motorcycle Ministries approached the Southern Gentlemen motorcycle club about a charity event, said Andrew "Sugarfoot" Jenkins of Southern Gentlemen. The first year featured those two clubs and about 100 riders, Jenkins said.

"It has grown every year," he said.

Jenkins estimated that 400-500 children received toys last year. Anyone who wants to donate new toys for the event can bring them to Ranlo Church of God at 10 a.m. Saturday, he said.