Southern Alberta bikers revved up to help needy children in the city

By Lethbridge Herald on September 19, 2023.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Trent Regier gets set to ride in the motorcycle parade with his big teddy bear fastened on to kick off the 42nd annual southern Alberta Toy Run from Honkers Pub and Eatery on Saturday morning.

Justin Seward
LETHBRIDGE HERALD

More than 100 motorcyclists put their kickstands up at Honkers Pub and Eatery for the 42nd annual Southern Alberta Toy Run on Saturday morning.

Santa was on site for the kids before the  motorcycle parade which attracted 141 riders.

“The run is sanctioned by the Southern Alberta Bikers and we welcome riders from any clubs,” said Dallas Harty, Southern Alberta Bikers president.

“Any rider is welcome to come and support this. You don’t even have to be a biker to support it. The support we’re getting from the community is unbelievable and the surrounding communities. We’ve got riders here from Calgary, Medicine Hat, Pincher Creek, all over. It’s just unbelievable.”

The parade saw bikers ride around the city with teddy bears or toys strapped to their motorcycles. They made as many as five stops around southern Alberta for the poker run.

“Toy runs are synonymous among bike clubs,” said Harty.

“It’s our way of giving back to the community and showing support for people in need and it is focused on the children, this time of the year getting close to Christmas.

“People donate toys, stuffies or cash donations. And we gather this all up and we go out into the community to Good Samaritans, YWC, Harbour House, Streets Alive, find out what they need, and we go out and purchase that stuff on behalf of the biker community and get them whatever they need.”

Trent Regier was riding in his 10th toy run and participates in 30 a year.

“The smiles on the riders faces, but more importantly the smiles on  the kids’ faces, the families that we donate the toys to. That’s what brings us back,” said Regier.

Vicky Vanden Hoek is the owner of Honkers Pub and Eatery and Nest Events and is a former rider herself.

“Just to have a brand new toy for kids who aren’t able to get those kind of toys is just something beautiful to have for them,” said Vanden Hoek.

Vanden Hoek figured this was one of the bigger toy runs.

“Our numbers used to be depending on the weather,” she said.

“I have never seen this many bikes in the toy run. So that just really warms my heart and I feel so honoured that they’re supporting my business, my venue to come have their breakfast and then they’re coming back here for supper as well.”