thedrifter
11-28-05, 06:41 AM
Monday, November 28, 2005
Rudolph, you can take a break
Bikers deliver goods to Toys for Tots
By Scheri Smith
ssmith@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal
Lloyd Dezarn may have looked like Santa yesterday as he rode around in costume on his Harley-Davidson, but the blue bungee cord holding down his fake beard gave him away.
"If I don't have this, it blows up and I can't see where I'm going," Dezarn said.
But even if he couldn't fool most people into believing he was that jolly old elf, he said he still felt like Santa Claus because of the Kentucky Motorcycle Association's 23rd annual Toys for Tots Run.
"It's the thing to do every year," he said. "I've been doing it for 20 years."
Dezarn, 56, who lives in Fairdale and works for the Metropolitan Sewer District, was one of thousands of bikers who got into the Christmas spirit by taking part in the run and donating toys to the Toys for Tots program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps League.
Motorcyclists met at 2 p.m. on Logistics Road, off Cane Run Road. From there they rode about 10 miles to Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. There, they filled trucks with new toys for local children.
Lt. Col. Mary Broussard, a retired Marine reservist, coordinated the run with the motorcycle association. Broussard said there are about 20,000 children in the area signed up to receive a gift through Toys for Tots.
Although an official count of the toys won't be available until today, Broussard said the motorcycle run sometimes provides toys for as many as 6,000 children.
"It shows the softer side of bikers, just like Toys for Tots shows the softer side of the Marines," she said.
Matthew Schickel, a University of Louisville student who is in the Marine Reserve, loaded trucks with toys yesterday. Schickel, 21, who is from Lanesville, Ind., called the toy run a great event.
"I've really enjoyed it," he said. "The weather's nasty, but we still have a good turnout."
Yesterday's wet weather meant fewer participants showed up than in more favorable conditions, Ken "Kenbo" Moore said. This year's estimate was 2,500 to 3,000; last year, more than 8,000 participated, although not everyone brings a toy. Broussard said some people donate money.
Moore, 52, of Lyndon said it's important for the ride to continue even in uninviting weather.
"If we don't do this rain or shine, the kids don't get their Christmas," he said. "This is a great occasion."
The rain didn't bother Sonya Gibbs of Fern Creek. Gibbs, 39, who works in telecommunications, said she had a great time.
"It was actually pretty good, considering the weather," she said. "It's a great benefit for the kids."
Gibbs rode on the back of her boyfriend's Honda Gold Wing. She said that's like "riding in a Cadillac."
Gibbs' boyfriend, Greg Taylor, a member of the Midnight Riders Motorcycle Club, said the run is always fun. Taylor, 47, a truck driver who lives in the South End, said he looks forward to the run.
"It brings people together," he said.
Ellie
Rudolph, you can take a break
Bikers deliver goods to Toys for Tots
By Scheri Smith
ssmith@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal
Lloyd Dezarn may have looked like Santa yesterday as he rode around in costume on his Harley-Davidson, but the blue bungee cord holding down his fake beard gave him away.
"If I don't have this, it blows up and I can't see where I'm going," Dezarn said.
But even if he couldn't fool most people into believing he was that jolly old elf, he said he still felt like Santa Claus because of the Kentucky Motorcycle Association's 23rd annual Toys for Tots Run.
"It's the thing to do every year," he said. "I've been doing it for 20 years."
Dezarn, 56, who lives in Fairdale and works for the Metropolitan Sewer District, was one of thousands of bikers who got into the Christmas spirit by taking part in the run and donating toys to the Toys for Tots program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps League.
Motorcyclists met at 2 p.m. on Logistics Road, off Cane Run Road. From there they rode about 10 miles to Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. There, they filled trucks with new toys for local children.
Lt. Col. Mary Broussard, a retired Marine reservist, coordinated the run with the motorcycle association. Broussard said there are about 20,000 children in the area signed up to receive a gift through Toys for Tots.
Although an official count of the toys won't be available until today, Broussard said the motorcycle run sometimes provides toys for as many as 6,000 children.
"It shows the softer side of bikers, just like Toys for Tots shows the softer side of the Marines," she said.
Matthew Schickel, a University of Louisville student who is in the Marine Reserve, loaded trucks with toys yesterday. Schickel, 21, who is from Lanesville, Ind., called the toy run a great event.
"I've really enjoyed it," he said. "The weather's nasty, but we still have a good turnout."
Yesterday's wet weather meant fewer participants showed up than in more favorable conditions, Ken "Kenbo" Moore said. This year's estimate was 2,500 to 3,000; last year, more than 8,000 participated, although not everyone brings a toy. Broussard said some people donate money.
Moore, 52, of Lyndon said it's important for the ride to continue even in uninviting weather.
"If we don't do this rain or shine, the kids don't get their Christmas," he said. "This is a great occasion."
The rain didn't bother Sonya Gibbs of Fern Creek. Gibbs, 39, who works in telecommunications, said she had a great time.
"It was actually pretty good, considering the weather," she said. "It's a great benefit for the kids."
Gibbs rode on the back of her boyfriend's Honda Gold Wing. She said that's like "riding in a Cadillac."
Gibbs' boyfriend, Greg Taylor, a member of the Midnight Riders Motorcycle Club, said the run is always fun. Taylor, 47, a truck driver who lives in the South End, said he looks forward to the run.
"It brings people together," he said.
Ellie