Toy Run bikers hit the road for a good cause

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on September 10, 2024.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Santa Claus leads a group of bikers out from Honkers Pub parking lot on Saturday for the Southern Alberta Toy Run.

Seventy-five bikers revved up their engines at Honkers Pub for the annual Southern Alberta Toy Run that was hosted on Saturday by the Southern Alberta Bikers.

Riders, which included Santa Claus, paraded around the city with toys strapped to the back of their bikes followed by a benefit ride around the area.

“It kind of brings out the best in the biker community,” said Dallas Harty, Southern Alberta Bikers president.

“The biker community (as) a whole is very generous and they just love to support (their) community and give back to the community that supports them. The bikers love to get together and do what they can and just the camaraderie and the brotherhood of getting together.”

Harty said the amount of toys that are at Honkers right now is unbelievable.

“Just a phenomenal gathering and a great effort by everybody to raise some money and some toys,” said Harty.

Frank Amantea was down from Calgary and it was through calling a friend that it was recommended for him to check out his first Toy Run.

“I’ve been involved in the motorcycling community since 1999 and I go on as many charity events that I can because I know the bikers are very much committed to giving 100 per cent of the donations to charities without taking any overhead for themselves,” said Amantea.

“So that’s what I love about these kind of events.”

The Santa Claus, who goes by KP, has been riding in the parade consecutively since 1994.

“We’re doing stuff to help (other) people,” he said.

He enjoys the camaraderie.

“This is getting bigger every year,” he said.

Bikers were also recognized with donations by the retail businesses at the wind-up party back at Honkers to wrap up the day.

The monetary donations assist in buying toys or helping out organizations with their needs.

Toys will be distributed to southern Alberta charities at a later date.

“This (has) been going on for 43 years, so it’s a pretty well-oiled machine,” said Harty.