2009 TTR
Celebrating our 21st Annual Tantramar “Toys for Tots” Motorcycle Run on Saturday, September 12, 2009, approximately 1000 people on 756 motorcycles showed up under “the best weather ever” to help support families in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
With the help of corporate donations, individual sponsors & the motorcyclists, we were able to raise approximately $15,000.00 in NEW toys and financial assistance for families at Christmas and families experiencing difficult times in their lives. Since 1989, the Tantramar “Toys for Tots” Motorcycle Run has generated over $190,000.00 in financial aid and new toys.
The Tantramar “Toys for Tots” Motorcycle Run is a registered, non-profit charitable organization and annually supports Moncton Headstart, Sackville Christmas Cheer, Port Elgin Voluntary Action Group, Dorchester Volunteer Association and Amherst Christmas for Kids Campaign. In addition, over the years we have financially contributed to Sackville Memorial Hospital, Children’s Wish Foundation, Terry Fox Run, Bob Edgett’s Boxing Club, Amherst Accessible Playground Project, Tree of Life, Hot Lunch Programs, Tantramar Civic Centre, Playground Improvements, Sackville Athletics, Rare Breed for Rare Disease, Secret Santa and have supported families in Moncton, Scoudouc, Amherst, Sackville, Port Elgin, etc. who had children with very serious illnesses. This year, in recognition of ongoing support from Sackville McDonalds owner/operator Danny Moore, we have earmarked ten percent of all cash donations to go to the Ronald McDonald House in Halifax, a facility that families in our area have required in times of medical need.
Prior to the official start of the Toy Run, about 20 bikers headed to Westmorland Institution in Dorchester where the Inmate Committee presented a cheque to the Toy Run for $1000.00. The Westmorland Inmates are the single largest financial sponsors of the run since 1989. Toy Run organizers presented a 2009 Toy Run Shirt and expressed our thanks for all of the years of support and told the inmates that their donation was indeed doing “good works” for families in the area.
At 2 p.m., the Toy Run, with excellent traffic support from the RCMP and CAV (Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Club) left McDonalds, headed towards Silver Lake, onto Folkins Drive, Cattail Ridge, turning right onto Bridge Street, left onto Main, down Queens Road and on to Dorchester with motorcycles returning to Sackville via King Street to the Tantramar Veterans Memorial Civic Centre. Hundreds of supporters lined the parade route, a gesture that is sincerely appreciated by the bikers.
Upon returning to the Civic Centre, the spectacular Hub City Stunters (professional motorcycle stunt group from Moncton) performed amazing motorized feats in the back parking lot to the delight of hundreds of spectators of all ages. Once inside the Civic Centre, various awards were given out and door prizes were drawn for. Awards were given out for Youngest Female Rider – Tracy Waterlot; Youngest Male Rider – Brendan Johnston (14); Most Mature Female Rider – Helen Elliot (62); Most Mature Male Rider – Bob Scott (74); Oldest Motorcycle (1971 Harley Davidson FLH Shovelhead)– Harvey Bird. Long Distance Rider was Leo Hutchinson of New Waterford, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.
On a more serious note, the 2009 Toy Run was dedicated to Mike Wheaton, who passed away in March. Mike was a long time friend, supporter and participant of this event having participated in the inaugural Toy Run in 1989 and is remembered fondly by his biker brothers and sisters. Also, on August 12th, we lost our young friend, 14-year-old Jordan Cormier, as a result of a tragic accident on his 50cc scooter. Jordan was looking forward to participating in his first Toy Run as a “biker”. Instead of having a moment of silence to remember our departed friends, we asked that the folks attending the event “raise the roof in celebration” of the lives of Mike and Jordan. This resulted in a heartwarming “standing ovation” lasting several minutes by all of the people in the Civic Centre.
Later in the evening, also at the Civic Centre, the Toy Run Fundraising Concert featured Matt Minglewood and Band with Threeza Crowd and DC Smith & The Streamliners opening the show. If you missed that show, you missed a heck of a party – Maritime style. After hand-picked auctioneer Brian Tingley auctioned an Epiphone acoustic guitar, donated by Randy Clarke of Long & McQuade in Moncton, Matt autographed the guitar in the “GREEN ROOM” to the winning bidder, Tim Purdy of Dorchester who had the winning bid of $450.00. This is Mr. Purdys’ second Minglewood guitar as he also was successful in last years auction.
Air Canada Kids’ Horizons program donated a trip for two people to any Air Canada destination in Continental North America which was won by Patricia Knockwood of Dorchester and VIA RAIL donated a trip for two in a “cabin” from Halifax to Montreal which was won by Teresa Simpson of Memramcook. Teresa also was the lucky winner of a $500.00 bicycle donated by Hubert Purdy of Dorchester. A “Texas Mickey” donated by Rick Reid Automotive was won earlier in the day by Colleen Allen.
A very special thanks to all the volunteers, businesses, individuals, organizations and bikers who help to make this run function each year. Thanks go out to Enterprise Fawcett office staff who supplemented our regular volunteers by helping in various capacities in memory of Mike Wheaton.
If you missed the opportunity to donate this year, Kevin Terrio, owner/operator of Crescent Automotive in the Sackville Industrial Park, has generously offered to use his business as an “Official Drop-Off Site” for the Toy Run. Anyone who would like to donate a new toy or make a cash donation and was unable to attend the Toy Run can drop off their donation at Crescent Automotive. Any cash donations will receive an official income tax receipt issued at a later date.
For those who wish to support the Toy Run and could not make it out or for information on Corporate Sponsorship opportunities for this year or subsequent campaigns, please contact Mike Purdy 506-536-7006, 506-379-6243, email toyrun@nb.sympatico.ca or visit our website www.thetoyrun.ca
