Toy Runs!

Toy runs? Already!!!! For some toy runs signal the beginning of the end of the riding season in Kansas as the winter holiday season approaches. I'm sure most are familiar with toy runs, but just in case, a toy run is a benefit ride so that kids in need can have something under the tree on Christmas morning. Admission to a toy run is usually a new, un-opened toy. Following the run, sometimes nothing more than a short parade of bikes through town, there may be an auction of donated items with proceeds going to help out local families.

On Saturday, October 2nd, my wife and I headed out on a chilly but sunny morning for the hour ride to Concordia, Ks for the 10th Annual Cloud County Toy Run. There's alot of folks that put alot of work into this and it's impossible to list them all but, A.B.A.T.E. of Kansas District 9, California Phil's, and the American Legion Riders of Post 76 put alot of hours into this run for the kids. There's also alot of local businesses that donate items to the auction and this year the auction even included a car! For the last 10 years these folks have been going above and beyond to make sure that local families in need are taken care of. While talking to Phil of California Phil's I learned that 99% of the proceeds go directly back into the community, with the only exception being the mandatory insurance purchased for the event. The amount of hours volunteered in itself is amazing.

The start point was at the National Guard Armory in Concordia, Ks.

The participants rode bikes of all shapes and sizes from all manufacturers.



a Snap-on mini-chopper




A raked sporty




A full on custom Panhead chopper(I love this bike!!)

 A couple "big guns" in the background!

At the end of the day the big hearted bikers filled the back of this truck with toys to be distributed to local children

Babe Houser Motor Co. of Concordia even donated a car for the auction!

Even with the highly skilled auctioneer and all of the excitement going on at the auction, the great chili provided to everyone at the American Legion Hall was just too much for this guy, he managed to get a good nap in!

Here's a short video clip of the auction, this is the second time I've gotten to see this auctioneer in action and this guy makes it fun!

For all those that worked so hard and to those that came to the run and donated, THANK YOU!! Because of you, some of the kids in the Concordia area will have a little better Christmas!