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2020 Toy Run raises $2,000 in surprisingly successful pandemic format

It wasn't your typical Toy Run.

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia</who>

Rather than one huge and imposing column of motorcycles cruising along Hwy 97 Sunday morning, there were small clusters of riders individually negotiating the Run's traditional South Okanagan route.

Rather than music and munchies and a partying throng at the Rotary Park finish line, there were scattered groups of bikers chatting and sharing stories at a distance before calling it a day.

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia</who>

Thanks a lot, COVID.

Thankfully, some things haven't changed. The 2020 edition of the Penticton Toy Run, originally canceled way back in April due to the emerging pandemic and then tentatively resuscitated in the late summer, ultimately attracted some 80-odd motorcyclists. That's a number equivalent to many non-pandemic years.

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia</who> Willy Lemm was back in the role of Santa

Just as astonishing is the total money raised. At $2,000 and counting, it meets or beats the tallies from each of the two previous years.

Afterward, OMRA (Okanagan Motorcycle Riders Association) rep Kelly Warrington, who explained that riders coughed up either $20 or a snazzy toy in order to participate, was one happy dude.

<who>Photo Credit: Kelly Warrington</who> Members of the St Vincent De Paul Society collect their toys

"I think the amount of money we brought in exceeded all expectations," he said. "Most of it came from registration fees."

"Some of our riders would give us 50 bucks and say keep the change. People were even donating money at some of our stops. In Oliver, members of the public donated over $150 just in cash."

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia</who>

According to Warrington, plans for 2020 were finalized only a few weeks ago.

"Everything kind of flat-lined back in April, but in summer we thought maybe we can do something in lieu of. And so we decided on a 'poker run' where people keep to smaller groups, but where everyone gets together for one cause."

That cause is the St Vincent De Paul Society's Christmas hamper program. They've picked up all the toys already, and soon they'll get all the money too.

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia</who>

As for the 'poker run' format, Warrington said riders got to choose a playing card at each one of the Run's stops. At the conclusion, those with the best poker hands got to win stuff.

Stuff like raffle tickets for the Harley Davidson Heritage Classic being raffled off jointly by the Okanagan Similkameen Neurological Society and OMRA. All proceeds go to OSNS.

Giving seemed to be ingrained in the bikers that comprised Sunday's event. Jerry Martin and Doug Anderson made the trek to Penticton from Vernon and were clear why they did.<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia</who> Jerry Martin (left) and Doug Anderson made the haul from Vernon

"We do it for the children, " said Martin. "The last two years in Vernon I've won the 50/50. Both times, I just donated it back. We come for a charity, not to make money."

Jo from Oliver said she's also a Toy Run veteran.

"I've done it several times, because it matters. It makes a difference for the kids. And it's fun. There's some really nice bikes here today."

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia</who> Jo (right) and her beau are Toy Run regulars

"And it was beautiful. No smoke. I woke up this morning to blue sky. Last year we got rained out."

For more information on OMRA and the work they do, head here.



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