Annual motorcycle ride raises money for holiday presents

“Toy Ride,” an annual motorcycle ride slated for Nov. 21 at Madison County Memorial Park, returns with its mission to buy holiday gifts for local children of less fortunate families.

Started six years ago, last year’s event raised over $1,000 for presents.

“With the times the way they are, it’s just going to continue get worse,” said David Patton of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, who helps coordinate the event. “There’s going to be more people needing a lending hand, a helping hand. That’s what we’re there for is to help others.”

Riders pay $20 to participate in the event coordinated by Madison County’s entire emergency services team (law enforcement, the fire departments, EMS and 911 rescue). The proceeds then go toward buying the gifts. The toys stay in-county.

“This is something we’ve done to take care of the local families,” he said.

That’s because some toy drives haven’t always done that. Patton said the schools ran into a tough situation a few years ago with the Toys for Tots program.

“They sort of got burned on that,” Patton said. “They’d come in and load up these trailers full of toys that all these schools and everybody else had donated and they’d take it to Atlanta and wouldn’t come back here.”

To insure that the toys go to the Madison Countians who need them, Toy Ride works with Madison County’s ACTION, Inc. - which also coordinates the county food bank — to distribute the gifts.

“Because they already have an established relationship with those in need … They know where the true need is,” Patton said.

The ride — the length of the course depends on the weather — is fully escorted and winds through different state and local routes.

“It covers the county with some scenic back roads along with some of the big roads as well,” Patton said.

Patton said that holding a motorcycle ride in November, when weather can obviously play a role, is a gamble. But the goal this year is still to draw 100 bikers. And Patton said the motorcycle community is a reliable bunch.

“That’s one thing about the motorcycle, the biker family,” he said. “It’s a group of good people. They come out to help out. They’re always there for a good cause. You can count on them.”

In addition to the bike ride, the event includes a DJ, a 50-50 drawing and lots of door prizes.

Patton said Toy Ride will also offer “pretty cool” T-shirts to those who participate.

Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and kickstands go up at 12:30 p.m.

“So come early and get a ride shirt and make history with us,” he said.

For more information, contact David Patton at 706-296-4598 or Dwayne Patton at 706-795-6281.