Annual Maui Toy Run attracts hundreds of bikers
Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 6:39 am
Annual Maui Toy Run attracts hundreds of bikers
Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - By MELISSA TANJI, Staff Writer - The Maui News - mauinews.com
KAHULUI – At least several hundred bikers revved their engines and thundered around Maui Sunday in a united effort to bring cheer to less fortunate children and families in Maui County.
Street Bikers United Hawaii, Maui Chapter, held its annual Maui Toy Run, where bikers brought toys for children and raised money for the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program. In Hawaii, the Salvation Army collects and distributes the toys.
“I think we are raising a lot of Toys for Tots here,” said Warren Woodward, president of the Street Bikers United, Maui Chapter.
Woodward surveyed the sea of bikers and motorcycles at the Kahului Shopping Center on Sunday morning and said he had “no idea” how many people were there.
“Bikers are big-hearted, they turn out for things like these,” he said.
The bikers, some dressed in Santa hats or reindeer antlers along with their motorcycle club shirts and black leather jackets, gathered in Kahului before heading up to Kula Hospital and Keokea.
They ended the ride in Wailea for a benefit party at Mulligan’s on the Blue.
Dennis Morey, the state director of Street Bikers United Hawaii, said he thought the event was great and said it was a “beautiful day” for riding, without the strong winds that plagued the state over the past several days.
“As usual the motorcycle community is always out there to lend a hand to a charitable organization,” Morey said.
Street Bikers United Hawaii is the state’s motorcyclists’ rights organization. Its primary purpose is to protect and promote riders’ rights in Hawaii’s political process.
The group also assists in other charitable events and community services including motorcycle safety and driver awareness.
The nonprofit group is open to all types of riders.
Buster Brown of Makawao said it’s only in Hawaii that motorcyclists of other clubs and independent riders all gather together in force.
“It’s just a melting pot,” he said.
Brown, who has been riding a motorcycle for 48 years and is a member of the Sons of Hawaii club, had his Harley-Davidson decorated with tinsel and a stuffed reindeer.
Brown was wearing reindeer antlers himself.
Cindy Valois agreed that Sunday was a great day for all types of bikers to get together.
“It’s good camaraderie for all the clubs,” she said as she broke a sweat gathering the toys.
Valois was assisted by her husband, Ray. The couple own South Maui Choppers.
“I love it. It’s great seeing people I haven’t seen for a year,” Cindy Valois said as she greeted everyone who was donating a toy.
One by one, bikers brought their toys to fill a Salvation Army truck.
Woodward said the official toy count would be done today by Salvation Army officers.
Toys for Tots managers have said they need around 7,000 toys this year for families on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. The biker event is one of several that assist with the drive.
Clubs brought truckloads of toys.
The Bad Island Crew club brought two truckloads of toys and two bicycles.
The club has around 20 members who ride custom made choppers.
Member Steve Aheong of Wailuku said the club does fundraisers and raises money throughout the year for the toy drive.
“It’s all for the kids. It’s always nice to give back to the community,” he said.
Local businesses along with individual sponsors all donated to the event on Sunday.
For more information on the Street Bikers United Hawaii, Maui Chapter, see www.sbumaui.org.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - By MELISSA TANJI, Staff Writer - The Maui News - mauinews.com
KAHULUI – At least several hundred bikers revved their engines and thundered around Maui Sunday in a united effort to bring cheer to less fortunate children and families in Maui County.
Street Bikers United Hawaii, Maui Chapter, held its annual Maui Toy Run, where bikers brought toys for children and raised money for the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program. In Hawaii, the Salvation Army collects and distributes the toys.
“I think we are raising a lot of Toys for Tots here,” said Warren Woodward, president of the Street Bikers United, Maui Chapter.
Woodward surveyed the sea of bikers and motorcycles at the Kahului Shopping Center on Sunday morning and said he had “no idea” how many people were there.
“Bikers are big-hearted, they turn out for things like these,” he said.
The bikers, some dressed in Santa hats or reindeer antlers along with their motorcycle club shirts and black leather jackets, gathered in Kahului before heading up to Kula Hospital and Keokea.
They ended the ride in Wailea for a benefit party at Mulligan’s on the Blue.
Dennis Morey, the state director of Street Bikers United Hawaii, said he thought the event was great and said it was a “beautiful day” for riding, without the strong winds that plagued the state over the past several days.
“As usual the motorcycle community is always out there to lend a hand to a charitable organization,” Morey said.
Street Bikers United Hawaii is the state’s motorcyclists’ rights organization. Its primary purpose is to protect and promote riders’ rights in Hawaii’s political process.
The group also assists in other charitable events and community services including motorcycle safety and driver awareness.
The nonprofit group is open to all types of riders.
Buster Brown of Makawao said it’s only in Hawaii that motorcyclists of other clubs and independent riders all gather together in force.
“It’s just a melting pot,” he said.
Brown, who has been riding a motorcycle for 48 years and is a member of the Sons of Hawaii club, had his Harley-Davidson decorated with tinsel and a stuffed reindeer.
Brown was wearing reindeer antlers himself.
Cindy Valois agreed that Sunday was a great day for all types of bikers to get together.
“It’s good camaraderie for all the clubs,” she said as she broke a sweat gathering the toys.
Valois was assisted by her husband, Ray. The couple own South Maui Choppers.
“I love it. It’s great seeing people I haven’t seen for a year,” Cindy Valois said as she greeted everyone who was donating a toy.
One by one, bikers brought their toys to fill a Salvation Army truck.
Woodward said the official toy count would be done today by Salvation Army officers.
Toys for Tots managers have said they need around 7,000 toys this year for families on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. The biker event is one of several that assist with the drive.
Clubs brought truckloads of toys.
The Bad Island Crew club brought two truckloads of toys and two bicycles.
The club has around 20 members who ride custom made choppers.
Member Steve Aheong of Wailuku said the club does fundraisers and raises money throughout the year for the toy drive.
“It’s all for the kids. It’s always nice to give back to the community,” he said.
Local businesses along with individual sponsors all donated to the event on Sunday.
For more information on the Street Bikers United Hawaii, Maui Chapter, see www.sbumaui.org.