KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: Bikers making Toy Run for pediatrics patients

Bikers making Toy Run for pediatrics patients

CONWAY-(December 8, 2010)-Motorcycle riders from throughout the state, led by "Santa Claus," are expected for the 10th annual Conway Regional Toy Run on Saturday, December 18. Participants will meet at 10 a.m. at Landers Toad Suck Harley-Davidson, 1110 Collier Drive, the morning of the event on Saturday, Dec. 18, and the procession will leave the business at noon.

The Toy Run will begin at 11:30 am at Toad Suck Harley Davidson which is located off Oak Street, and is expected to enter the hospital campus where Santa and the bikers will bring toys to children in the East Lobby of the hospital. This year's run will celebrate and recognize the contributions of the "First Five," a group of individuals who helped start the Toy Run 10 years ago. The First Five are Vicki and Ross Scalise, Mike and Roxanne Ford and Steve "Painter" Polk.

After the run, the bikers will return to the Harley Davidson dealership for a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the run. Clover Blue, the winner of this year's Arkansas blues competition, will perform at the dealership from 1 to 3 pm.

The Toy Run, which provides a variety of toys for children who are patients in the Pediatrics Unit at Conway Regional, is expected to draw bikers from throughout Faulkner County and the state to Conway. The run is no longer motorcycles, only. Individuals are invited to drive cars or trucks. The only requirement is to bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child or youth three to 16 years of age. Toys may be donated until Dec. 17 for non-riders at Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts on Oak Street, Advance Auto Parts on Harkrider Street, O'Reilly Auto Parts at Oak and Harkrider streets, Helton's Wrecker and Repair Services on Harkrider Street and at Landers Toad Suck Harley-Davidson.

These toys will be donated to pediatrics patients after bikers ride up to the east lobby of the medical center at noon on December 18.

This year US Bank will sponsor the group, by giving a new television, Wii gaming system, and a cart that will move from room to room.

 "We greatly appreciate the motorcycle groups' efforts to bring some cheer to our patients," said Jo Lynne Gasaway, RN, Nursing Director of the Pediatrics Unit. "They have been very generous in organizing the Toy Run."

 "This is just our way of giving back to the community," said Steve "Painter" Polk, Toy Run organizer. "This is to ensure that a child gets a toy to take home when coming into Conway Regional. It's to help lower the child's stress level." This is the tenth year for the Toy Run and Polk said, "We've had several parents donate toys because what we did last year helped their children."