Bikers ride 100 miles for Toys for Tots
The Second Annual Glacier Hog 2010 Toy Run revs up Saturday, July 17, offering riders of any brand motorcyclist a fun day benefiting Toys for Tots.
There will be a 100-mile valley tour ride followed by an afternoon and evening of activities at the Kalispell VFW building.
Madeline Steeley, director of the Glacier Chapter of Harley Owners Group, said around 100 people participated in the event last year and raised about $4,000 to buy toys at Christmas for the Marine Corps’ signature charity.
“Everyone last year had a blast,” Steeley said. “It’s one of those events where you feel good about it when you go home. You’re also with a group of people who all care about the same thing.”
Participants need to bring $20 and an unwrapped new toy to registration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Montana Harley Davidson, 2480 U.S. 93 South in Kalispell. It covers the ride, a poker hand, door prize ticket, Toys for Tots pin and dinner.
According to Steeley, the 100-mile ride makes a general tour of the Flathead Valley including the Foy’s Lake area, Farm to Market Road, Montana 40, Montana 206, Foothills Road and Montana 209.
During the tour, riders stop three times to get words off signs to qualify to draw a poker hand at the Glacier Park VFW at 330 First Ave. W. in Kalispell. Players may win a first prize of $200 or second prize of $100.
The silent auctions begin at 4 p.m. and run through 7 p.m. for a prizes including a $250 weed trimmer from Sears, a $210 Sioux fighting lance from Creative Native or $100 gift certificate from Hooper’s.
“This community has been fabulous,” Steeley said. “We have a heck of a lot of silent auction items that are nice.”
Bikers may want to bid on a “Sturgis or Bust” sign donated to the silent auction by Electric Avenue Gifts and many more goods and services from local businesses.
Along with the auctions, the festivities include 50/50 drawings with $1 tickets and the pot split between winners and Toys for Tots.
Steeley is particularly concerned about the success of this year’s Glacier Hog Toy Run.
With continuing economic hardship in the valley, she expects even more families to need help during the holidays from Toys for Tots.
She cited her own club as an example where membership has dropped from 128 to 97.
“We’ve got at least 22 who couldn’t financially afford to do it,” Steeley said. “There are going to be a lot of people who are financially hurting who will be at Toys for Tots.”
Last year, she and some other members spent $4,000 buying gifts in coordination with Carey Dill, coordinator for Toys for Tots. Steeley said the club works solely for Toys for Tots.
The toy run raises the majority of the money. Club members also hold a boot drive in the fall for toys and cash in local grocery stores that generally takes in between $1,000 and $2,000.
So far, pre-registration for the toy run is about 18 riders short of last year’s numbers.
“I’m worried,” Steeley said. “My concern is for the charity.”
The Harley owners group includes a broad spectrum of people from doctors and lawyers to construction workers and truck drivers, homemakers and retirees.
Steeley, who rides a Heritage Softail Classic model Harley, said women make up a growing segment of motorcycle riders, including the local club.
Their riding season begins in April and ends in October. They hold rides and dinners in the warm months and move into bowling, potlucks and progressive dinners during the cold months.
Steeley said that all of the toys and proceeds from the toy ride benefit children in the Flathead Valley. Registration packets are available at all local motorcycle dealerships or may be downloaded from www.glacierhog.com using the Toys for Tots link.
Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.