By ERIN MATHEWS

Salina Journal

The rumbling roar of 432 motorcycles starting Sunday afternoon is a sound of Christmas as significant to many area children as Santa's "ho! ho! ho!"

The bikers -- from Abilene, Junction City, Wichita, McPherson and other surrounding cities, as well as Salina -- lined their toy-laden motorcycles up in the Mid-State Plaza's parking lot Sunday afternoon.

Promptly at 2 p.m., the record number of bikers, led by the American Legion Riders, bearing American flags and Santa waving from the back of a utility vehicle, roared off in the 22nd Annual Salina Toy Run parade through the city, ending at Emmanuel Christian Center, 1325 E. Cloud. There, the pile of gifts was so big it started in the multipurpose room and streamed out the door and down the hall.

Groups of people gathered along the parade route to watch and wave as the motorcycles passed.

James Trepoy, also known as Fat Jimmy, has been organizing the toy run for Salina Area Motorcycle Enthusiasts since it started. He said the event requires six phone calls to plan -- not counting the big one to request good weather.

"Any motorcycle event, Mother Nature has a big part in it," he said. "That's when somebody's got to call 1-800-BLUESKY and call in some favors."

Whoever had that job this year did well. The day was sunny and about 50 degrees -- a good day for a ride.

Trepoy said 300 pins commemorating the event were sold to participants at $2 each. That money also will be split among the three organizations that receive toys collected -- Ashby House, DVACK and KVC.

Dave Chard was among the American Legion Riders who led off the parade. He was on a gleaming silver Harley Davidson purchased after he totaled his old bike in July and spent nine days in the hospi- tal.

"I just enjoy doing this," Chard said. "It goes for a good cause."

$800 worth of toys

The motorcycles were followed by a pickup truck full of toys purchased with $800 contributed by patrons of Maggie Mae's, a Salina bar frequented by motorcycle riders.

"We spent three hours shopping. It was a lot of fun," said Peggy Lohf, who drove the truck. "Nothing is battery operated because, for a lot of families, that's an extra they don't have."

Bob Reynolds, in his fifth year portraying Santa for the toy run, said he doesn't ride a motorcycle because he doesn't know how and he wants to keep his hands free to wave to onlookers.

Before the bikes took off, a father carried his young son up to see Santa, who gave him a high five and asked what he wanted for Christmas.

The boy, with Kool-Aid-stained lips, was too shy to tell Santa the request he'd been making to his parents.

"He's been saying he wants a green Harley," his father said.

"Well, it had better come with training wheels and a helmet," Santa replied.

n Reporter Erin Mathews can be reached at 822-1415 or by e-mail at emathews@salina.com.

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harleygirl says....
I think in general the LOH and HOG members and all of the other motorcycle enthusiasts are free spirited loving and caring and the most giving souls on this planet, these groups give more of their time, effort, money, donations, friendship, help, organization, and in general goodwill to all other groups of people, children, families, etc. than most everyone else put together--let those that judge keep your eyes and ears open, at the heart of all that is good, there is the rumble of a biker! Be proud that humanity like this still exists, I am.
11/26/2008

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lljrsister says....
Wow Shadow Knows is what is wrong with Salina. What a small minded person. It is people like you that keep the bikes on such a short run. They should be able to go down Sante Fe and make the run longer so more people can enjoy it. You are a nimrod.
11/24/2008

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WhatsUp says....
Shadow Knows, if you were awakened at 2 in the afternoon at MidState plaza by the sounds of motorcycles, you need to find another dumpster to sleep in.
11/24/2008

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W. Diesel says....
Hey shadow there always has to be someone who brings a wrong out of the right. I was part of this toy run what good deed have you done! Also when was the last time you were speeding that's illegal and everyone does it! God Bless America
11/24/2008

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dualspirited says....
wow there always has to be somebody out there with a lump of coal ready to ruin a great thing for struggling families......not to mention the great pr these toy runs are for bikers
11/24/2008

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awilson says....
Bah-Humbug to "Shadow-Knows." I am not one of the riders, but want to thank all 432+ of them for spending their time and money on a great cause. I drove by the parking lot where they were lined up to start and it was quite a site to see. Thanks again!
11/24/2008

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shadow-knows says....
The rumbling roar of 432 motorcycles starting Sunday is illegal per state statute KSA-8-1810 and EPA articles 40-49 Breaking the laws should not be an excuse to collect toys.
11/24/2008

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shadow-knows says....
The rumbling roar of 432 motorcycles starting Sunday is illegal per state statute KSA-8-1810 and EPA articles 40-49 Breaking the laws should not be an excuse to collect toys.
11/24/2008

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