The Cariboo Motorcycle Association (CMA) and the Hooligans joined forces on Saturday, July 22, for the Christmas in July 2023 Toy Run.
The two groups, consisting of around 30 or so motorcycles, departed from the Tourism Discovery Centre in Williams Lake and headed to their third partner, the Likely Lodge, where they’d be meeting for lunch. The toys (some strapped to motorcycles, some following behind the group in a few trucks) and cash donations will be collected and counted in Likely, where they will then be split between the Chiwid Transition House and the Boys and Girls Club.
This is the second year for both the CMA and Hooligans to be hosting the toy run. The year prior, the toy run events were separate, but this year the two groups decided to join together and “make it stronger,” said Ron Sturgess of the CMA. The theme of this year’s event was partnerships and relationships.
John-Paul Albinati from the Hooligans said the event was a great “excuse to get everyone together and ride with their buddies” while also doing something good for the community.
Some toys were purchased locally from The Realm of Toys and elsewhere in Williams Lake, while others took their time to scout for the perfect toy.
Eric Larsen and Betty Melo found their toy, a squishy purple hippopotamus, at a bookstore in Nelson. Knowing the toy run was coming up while they were holidaying down there, they were excited to find the hippo who looked “so lonely all by himself,” they both chuckled. As soon as they saw it, they knew it was the one, they said.
The hippopotamus, along with a few other toys, were diligently strapped to the back of some of the motorcycles when the group lifted their kickstands and took off at 11:30 a.m.
The Williams Lake First Nation and RCMP escorted the riders from the Tourism Discovery Centre safely onto the highway.
READ MORE: Cariboo Motorcycle Association, Hooligans gearing up for toy run July 22
READ MORE: Williams Lake Fire Department Christmas in July food drive coming up
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