THUNDER BAY -- For 33 years, biker Joe Mceachern has been taking part in bringing children joy for Christmas.
Mceschern and dozens of motorcycle enthusiasts rode across town Saturday afternoon in the 33rd annual Toys for Tots Ride in support of the Salvation Army Christmas Toy Campaign.
Bikes with stuffed animals, trucks, dolls and other toys made their way from the Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson to the The Salvation Army Community and Residential Services on Cumberland Street where they presented their gifts.
“If we can afford a bike, and it’s a toy you can call it a lot of things but it’s a toy,” Mceachern said before riding down Arthur Street.
“If we can afford something like that I don’t think it’s a stretch to help somebody who probably can’t afford toys of that nature.”
Mceachern added that it’s a charitable donation and it feels good to help somebody that’s been struggling and trying to do the best they can.
The toys donated to the Salvation Army will be distributed to children in Thunder Bay during this Christmas Season.
Executive director Major Lori Mitchell said she doesn’t think it matters who you are everyone has a heart for the kids.
“Bringing toys and just making Christmas better for kids is on everybody’s heart no matter who you are,” Mitchell said.
More than 200 toys are brought in from the Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride each year, along with around $1,000.
Mitchell said the need for Christmas toys is quite high.
“Many families are either on social assistance or what we call the working poor and so they have money to make ends meet but not for anything extra,” she said.
“We try to make Christmas nice, so (parents) can make it special for the kids.”
Christmas has begun for the Salvation Army as they will be hosting several different events in the next few months.
