Sunday was an inspiring -- and highly successful -- day on the northern Penticton waterfront.
At the SS Sicamous and along the Penticton Channel, the 2022 Terry Fox Run raised $9,000 and pulled in what organizers feel was the largest turnout ever.
Meanwhile over at Rotary Park, just a few minutes after the Fox runners had headed out, the Okanagan Motorcycle Riders Association launched its 2022 Okanagan Toy and Poker Run.
And just a couple minutes later, 80-plus bikes, trikes and Spyders roared by the Sicamous and the Channel toward their first stop of the day in Summerland.
It was a huge field of machines and riders, and a couple hours later, after they'd visited Okanagan Falls and Oliver too, spokesperson and organizer Geoff Gawne made his announcement. They'd raised an amazing $3,085, plus a whole bunch of toys.
It was an all-time record haul for the venerable Toy Run.
Neil Abernathy, who PentictonNow met and photographed during last year's Toy Run before we renewed acquaintances Sunday, is indicative of the type of person who shows up for the event.
He loves his bikes and he looks the part. But it’s the ride and the camaraderie and the knowledge he's helping a bunch of deserving kids -- the Toy Run benefits the St Vincent De Paul Society's Christmas hamper program -- that really ticks his boxes.
"I came here for this," said Abernthy, who rides from Crescent Beach in South Surrey every year for the event. "I do it because it’s fun and it's for the kids."
According to organizer Gawne, who's personally been involved with the event for 20 years, giving back in this way is in bikers' blood.
"It's what bikers do," he said. "It's a chance to ride your motorcycle, get together with like-minded people and raise a little money for the kids.
"It's a local club and we raise money by selling tickets on a Harley for the OSNS (Child and Youth Development Centre). That’s one of the things we've done. We do poker runs and rides too. But the Toy Run is an anchor. We've been doing it for well over 30 years."
Gawne admitted that the sight of a bunch of bikes in formation, motoring down the highway, is pretty cool indeed.
"Last year was good," he said, referring to the pandemic-impacted 2021 event where riders were forced to travel in small groups. "We had some changes to the layout because of COVID, but the numbers were still good.
"But this year we're getting back to it. It was a lead-ride. It's kind of a show. People see the bikes coming in it looks cool."
After the journey was done, the gang got together again at Rotary Park to see who won the day's various contests -- all of which required members to chip in even more bucks toward the day's total.
For more info on the Okanagan Motorcycle Riders Association, head here.
