After 22 years of creating charity events that benefit children, veterans and injured riders, Junior, the owner of Lifestyle Cycles in Anaheim California wanted to do something different, something the motorcycle community had never seen. What was birthed was the Orange Grove Elementary Toy Run which truly set the standard for a toy run.
The run actually began in November with a Poker Run to raise money for toys. This poker run had stops at some of the best motorcycle hangouts as well as the Marconi Automotive Museum which opened exclusively on a Sunday to allow riders to enjoy the $80 million in cars and motorcycles on display.
This became a collaboration with major sponsors such as Shark Squad Motorcycle Attorneys and the FDR foundation, which helps families devastated by major motorcycle accidents. With this partnership in place the toy run was sure to succeed.
Junior wanted to go to underserved elementary school in the Anaheim district and give toys to every student. Orange Grove Elementary was chosen which is one of the lowest income schools even though it is within walking distance of Disneyland.
With the goal in mind and everyone on board, toys were bought by donors, sponsors, and event proceeds. The end result was over 300 bicycles and 1800 toys ready to be given to the students. The bicycles were brought to the school the week before and over a hundred volunteers from the Lifestyle Cycles Riding group spent over 12 hours a day building bicycles with professional speedway riders acting as quality control.
The students would walk by the rooms where bikes were being built and you could see the excitement build for the Saturday event. The Thursday before the event local news crews from NBC and Telemundo met with Junior, Hollywood Dave from Shark Squad, along with a couple families from the school to hype the event in live broadcasts. Santa and the Grinch even showed up for the fun.
The day of the event started at Lifestyle Cycles with a pancake breakfast provided by the Black Sheep Harley Davidsons for Christ Motorcycle Ministry. Over 220 riders joined a police escorted parade on the 4 mile ride to the school. They were greeted by over 400 students cheering the police, the riders and Santa who rode in on a Triglide.
Students had been given different colored wristbands at random in the classroom with siblings who were not students given white bands. Emcee Hollywood Dave and the Shark Squad Dolls pulled wristband colors while students danced to holiday music and ate hot dogs provided by Cisco and FDR. Each group was matched up with bikers who took them into the toy area where each student could choose a bike, scooter, skateboard or 2 toys. The tears of joy from both students and bikers lasted the entire day. Once all students had gone through their siblings got a chance as well. Every biker in attendance had a story that brought tears to their eyes. Two students who were in wheelchairs chose little cars that could be propelled by the steering wheel. A quiet, shy student who drew a huge card of thanks to the volunteers was Grand Marshall and allowed to go first to choose his gift.
Many of the sponsors had carnival games set up for the kids to win more toys and Anaheim PD was there to hand out free helmets to the students. This collaboration was so successful that the extra toys and bikes were given to more than 10 other toy runs.
What started in the heart of Junior at Lifestyle Cycles became a reality that will bring memories that will echo into eternity. From sponsors to volunteers to students, all felt that this event was life changing. It didn’t start out to be that, but it seemed like God just brought all the right pieces together. The superintendent said no one (including Disney next door) has ever done anything close to what these bikers have done. The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in Anaheim California at Lifestyle Cycles. It doesn’t sound like jingle bells and reindeer, but like v-twins and cheering children. For these students, the sound of motorcycles will always bring back memories of a day unlike any other.