The West Kootenay Toy Run returns to the Silver City this Sunday for its 25th anniversary fundraiser.
Riding with 600 other cyclists in the Toy Run gives most riders a sense of freedom, but it also helps the needy. Financial gifts and toys will be donated across the region to 13 food banks, two shelters and five high-schools.
“I was thinking about what it means to the community earlier today,” said volunteer Jamie Kallin about the Run. “The reason this event is able to run for 25 years or longer is because motorcyclists really believe in it and we’re doing what we feel is right.”
The Toy Run has raised more than $350,000 in donations for people in Greater Trail, Castlegar and Nelson over its 25-year run, and the participants were eager to keep on giving.
“The community supports it, we support them and we get to ride motorcycles,” Kallin said, of the long-standing event.
The West Kootenay Toy Run starts with registration ($10 fee or a new unwrapped toy) and a pancake breakfast at the Castlegar Complex at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9. Toys are the preferred form of payment.
The jump-site start in Castlegar contains vendors, prizes and children’s activities for the duration of the day and wraps up with a raffle draw for a 2012 Harley Davidson Blackline at 6 p.m., followed by a 2012 Harley Davidson 883 Iron at 6:30 p.m.
The group will stop at Baker Street in Nelson at 10:45 a.m., followed by a lunch stop at Salmo Fire Hall, then landing on Cedar Ave. in Trail at 1:45 p.m.
The annual stop in Rossland has been cancelled due to construction.
The ride will end at the Castlegar Complex at 3 p.m. for snacks, dinner and a live music performance by Titus Kanby.
For more information or tickets, call 250-304-7665, e-mail toy.run@shaw.ca or visit www.wktra.com.