It’s not every day you see Santa Claus on a motorcycle. Let alone a group of Santas.
That’s the sight every year during the Lake County United Motorcyclist Association’s (LCUMA) annual toy run event to that collects toys and money for those in need for the holidays.
Dec. 7 was the date picked for the 21st Annual Toy Run and it saw more than 230 motorcyclists rev their engines for charity and ride nearly seven miles for the cause.The Lake County Sheriff’s Office provided an escort for the bikers — which included someone in a full Grinch costume — starting at the Walmart in Leesburg, 2501 N. Citrus Blvd., Leesburg and ended at the Gator Harley-Davidson, 1745 U.S. Hwy 441, Leesburg.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has participated in the event for over a decade, and Sergeant Jeffery DeSantis, of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, said the department enjoys it because, “it’s for a great program”
After arriving to the Gator Harley-Davidson, the excitement continued to ride high as the event featured live and chance auctions along with multiple raffles. Also, Orlando-based band Driven also provided live entertainment. Entertainment and beverages for the event were provided by Gator Harley-Davidson, a major sponsor for the annual event.
One of the live auctions saw bikers bid on donated items from individuals and local businesses and another had items donated by committee members.
“These items can be a single item or a basket full of goodies. You buy tickets and put your tickets in the boxes in hopes you will win that chance auction item,” said Jan Wideman, marketing and events coordinator for Gator Harley-Davidson.
The goal of the annual event is to help raise funds to benefit the Salvation Army and Foster Families in Lake and Sumter County.
To help raise the funds, riders were asked to pay $15 per person and bring an unwrapped toy or pay $25 per person without a toy to participate in the bike ride.
Once the event was over and “Santa’s helpers” calculated the total donations, the LCUMA was able to donate $8,200 each to both The Salvation Army and the Foster Families, along with two truckloads of toys and bicycles.
“Giving back to our community’s children that are less fortunate with the Salvation Army or the Foster Families Fostering, Faith, Hope and Love is the top priority,” Wideman said.
Though the event organizers were hoping to reach the $10,000 threshold for each donation, Captain Crystal Porter, Corps Officers for the Salvation Army Leesburg Corps, said the work that the LCUMA does has been a big help to the
Salvation Army’s mission to provide for those in need.“We have a lot of families who register for the assistance,” Porter said. “Because of organizations like (LCUMA) and events like this, we’re able to help. With the donations, we’ll be able to purchase other needed items, too.”
For more information about the LCUMA, visit their page on Facebook by searching for “LCUMA Lake County United Motorcyclist Assoc.”
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
