THUNDER BAY -- Christmas may be three months away but a group of local motorcycle enthusiasts are doing their part to ensure children in need receive holiday cheer.
About 100 bikers revved up their engines and roared across town Saturday afternoon for the 31st annual Toys for Tots Ride in support of the Salvation Army, the symbolic kick off of the charity’s Christmas toy drive.
Among those motorcyclists was the father and son duo of Michael and Stephen Abbott. This is the second time the elder Abbott has participated in the ride and the first for his son.
Michael Abbott said endeavours such as this one help show a different side to motorcyclists and hopefully erase stereotypes.
“I think there a lot of negative opinions of bikers and things like this help us to change those opinions and help people realize bikers are just like everybody else,” he said.
“We’re just trying to support the children and do what we can for the kids.”
Major Rob Kerr, the executive director of the local Salvation Army, said the leather jackets and powerful bikes should not confuse the general public.
They’re out to do good things and make a positive difference.
“It means these folks care about what’s going on in our community,” Kerr said. “As they want to help the community we’ve found a partnership with them. They can raise the toys, bring them to us and we make sure they get to where they need to go.”
The ride started at the Harley Davidson dealership on Arthur Street before proceeding through the city, ending at the Salvation Army’s headquarters on Cumberland Street.
While a significant number of motorcyclists would normally gather attention, the Abbotts in particular stood out as the two rode each with a massive stuffed gorilla riding on the back seat.
Stephen Abbott said the goal was to raise awareness for the ride and he’s convinced it worked.
“When we were on our way down for the ride there were people stopping and actually filming us in their cars as we were driving by, trying to slow down to get the pictures of us on our way down,” he said.
As the weather cools and snow blankets other parts of the region, the days are numbered for motorcyclists to take a ride on the bikes.
Going out together in numbers for a great cause is a great way to end the riding season, Kerr said.
“Although it’s early in the season this is one of the last rides they’re going to have on their bikes this year before they go away for winter so it’s a great way for them to wrap things up,” Kerr said.
