MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Hundreds of bikers came together for the 9th annual toy run ride in Myrtle Beach on Saturday.
Bikers donated toys and then rode from the Harley Davidson to Carolina Ale House.
“We started this to help those local families and ensure the children have a happy holiday,” Sheri Gibson, marketing manager for Harley Davidson in Myrtle Beach said.
Harley Davidson has been hosting the toy run ride for nine years.
“The idea came from us seeing families that would come in and tell us stories about how they couldn’t afford to give their children a happy Christmas and not have anything under the tree,” Gibson said.
This year, Harley Davidson collected a truck full of toys that will be given out to local children by the Red Cross.
“The generosity of our community is enormous. They are bringing hundreds of toys here,” Amy Brauner, Executive Director of the Eastern South Carolina chapter of the Red Cross said.
George Evans was one of the riders who participated in the toy run ride. He says his motorcycle group, the Gray Beard Brotherhood does what they can to help the community. This is the first time they have participated in the toy ride.
“It helps a lot of children. That’s the main thing. It’s nothing about us, it’s nothing about the ride, it’s about helping the children for Christmas,” Evans said.
Harley Davidson says the event has a big impact on the local community year-after-year.
“Especially this year with the hurricane and the flooding, it takes a lot of stress off of those parents that are struggling to put food on the table. We get thank you cards from families months after the event, so we know it’s making an impact in the lives of those children,” Gibson said.
