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thedrifter
11-26-07, 07:46 AM
Toys to the world
Motorcyclists of all stripes ride in Elk Grove as part of a drive to help needy children this holiday season
By Hudson Sangree - hsangree@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Monday, November 26, 2007

In Elk Grove on Sunday, Santa Claus sat astride a big yellow motorcycle with seven stuffed reindeer strapped around him on the bike and, in place of a sleigh, he towed a red trailer decorated with candy canes and tinsel.

He wore a silver helmet painted with orange flames, and sported a black leather vest over his traditional Christmas reds.

Behind him, hundreds of bikers gunned their engines, the heavy-metal thunder shaking the pavement of a parking lot off Laguna Boulevard.

A woman shouted "Let's ride!" and the pack roared toward Interstate 5, led by a California Highway Patrol car with its siren screaming.

It was the 31st annual Modified Motorcycle Association of California Toy Run, one of the region's most important sources of new toys for needy children.

The event brings together bikers from around Northern California and Nevada. They donate thousands of toys that are gathered and distributed by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to churches and aid organizations.

Christian bikers and Hells Angels rubbed shoulders at Sunday's event, brought together by a desire to help kids at Christmas.

In front of his recreational vehicle, the Rev. Rich Hardesty, founder of J.C. and Us Ministries, handed out pocket-size Bibles and red rags with a picture of a bearded biker praying by his motorcycle.

"This rag may clean your hands, but Jesus can clean your heart," said religious tracts wrapped inside the rags.

Across the way, members of the Hellbent Motorcycle Club and the Devils Horsemen chatted beside the White Trash Boutique, one of a dozen vendor booths.

The booth sold rhinestone-studded helmets and T-shirts that said "Retired Pole Dancer" and "Trailer Park Manager."

"We've been selling these like crazy," said Jen Collins, who runs the shop and designs its products with her mother, Lil.

On a table beside her, a stack of fliers promoted her brother's band, Billy Goats Gruff, the Kings of Redneck Devil Music.

In the background, traditional Christmas carols played on the loudspeakers next to the ministry's recreational vehicle.

Religious types and hell-raisers, "They're all brothers," said Michelle Wallace, who wore a Devils Horsemen jacket.

Salvation Army officers in neat blue uniforms and shined shoes mingled with the leather-clad bikers, many of whom stood in groups talking and smoking.

Meanwhile, about 50 Marines in camouflage and dress uniforms, some standing at attention, staffed a row of barrels set up to receive hundreds of stuffed animals and other toys.

Gunnery Sgt. Nic Apodaca, the Marines' Toys for Tots coordinator, said he hoped to gather around 2,500 toys on Sunday.

The event was the biggest toy drive of the year, he said.

But demand from groups that help needy families has far outstripped the Marines' supply this holiday season.

"We're 70,000 toys in the hole," Apodaca said.

At the end of the 30-minute toy ride, Santa – a.k.a. Sam Arab Jr., a chaplain with the Christian Motorcyclists Association – said giving to needy families is an "infectious" feeling that brings out bikers year after year.

"You can't believe the tears that flow when you give them something that they don't expect," he said.

Ellie