Bikers 27th Annual Toy Run

It’s that time of year!  All motorcyclists are invited to attend the 27th Annual Toy Run in Paducah this Saturday, November 20.  Meet up is 12 noon at Surplus City - 1927 Irvin Cobb Drive, with the ride leaving for Noble Park at 1 pm.  To participate, bring 1 new toy or $10 per person.  I have personally participated in the Toy Run for more years than I can remember and not only is it a great cause, it’s a great time!  A bike show for those that ride in the run is held at the park, followed by raffles, a quilt auction (good luck beating out Donnie Wilkerson for this), tattoo contest and dinner for participants at the American Legion. 

The Toy Run benefits the Kentucky Cabinet for Health & Family Services, which in turn distributes the toys and proceeds to 9 counties throughout Western Kentucky - McCracken, Graves, Marshall, Calloway, Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton, Hickman,  and Livingston.  This state agency cares for, finds and supervises homes for abused and neglected children.  The Toy Run plays a major role in making Christmas brighter for these children in need!  Absolutely 100% of all proceeds are donated to the Cabinet and volunteers donate countless hours all year long to make the Toy Run a success.  Everything, from the toys, bike show trophies, auction items, site and food for the party and even the trucks to haul the toys, is donated. 

Wildman and Ann

There are plenty of generous people that make the Toy Run possible but I think everyone will agree that the most thanks goes out to Wildman and Ann Allbritten who started it and continue to sponsor it every year.  They are quite humble and will probably wish I hadn’t said this, but two more generous people are hard to find.  Under their leadership, the Toy Run has grown immensely since the first year in 1983 which had about a dozen bikes, a few toys donated, and raised around $100.  Last year, over 700 bikes participated, with countless toys donated and over $20,000 raised!  Join us this year to make it even better!  A little know fact is that if you don’t have a bike you can come in “the cage” (your vehicle) and still donate and have fun.

The motto of the Toy Run is “Santa rides regardless of the weather and so do we!” , and there has certainly been all types of weather for the run in 26 years.  ‘We’ve had shirt sleeve weather, rain, and snow and we ride regardless!”  said Ann.  “How do you tell a child it was too cold for Santa?”

Not only are toys needed, but clothing and items for older children, school items and monetary donations are greatly appreciated.  Can’t make the run, but still want to help?  Toys and donations are accepted at the following collection points:  Big Pete’s Cycle, Four Rivers Harley-Davidson, FDR Honda, Learning Railroad, Zebra Graphics, Roof Brothers Liquors, and Dollar General Stores throughout Western Kentucky.  For more information, or to make a donation, contact Wildman and Ann at 270-554-7174, Sandra Lynn, the liason at the Cabinet at 270-559-7627, or Laura Shelton, Kentucky Cabinet for Health & Family Services at 270-575-7105.  Any help is greatly apprecated.

Dry Santa’s tears, give a toy this year!