HENDERSONVILLE — Nearly 500 motorcycles thundered down Henderson County roads from Bill Moore Community Park in Fletcher to the Henderson County Courthouse on Nov. 19, as the Henderson County Toy Run celebrated its 25th year of giving toys and money to county children in foster care.
After the bikers made their way down Third Avenue to the Courthouse, one by one they placed toys on the Courthouse steps. By the time the last biker placed toys, the steps were close to filled, and Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin spoke to the crowd gathered at the foot of the steps.
“This shows you right here that Santa is real,” Griffin said.
Organizer Crystal Quinn said despite the cold temperatures (in the high 30s to low 40s by midday) there were 460 bikes that participated in the Toy Run.
“Regardless of what it felt like riding (in the cold), if this doesn’t warm you up…,” Griffin said, pointing to all the toys. “…nothing is going to.”
More:Annual Henderson County Toy Run celebrating 25 years of giving
Quinn has been the coordinator for the event for the past four years and was on the receiving end before, having been a foster parent. She has also been a rider in the event for several years.
“This would not happen if it wasn’t for you,” she said, pointing to all the bikers. “You come out in the rain; you come out in the cold, and you show up. Y’all are the ones that make it.”
The day began at Bill Moore Community Park in Fletcher at 11 a.m. with a barbecue lunch, a 50/50 drawing and door prizes. The motorcycles, with toys attached, filled an entire section of the park. Just before the bikers fired up their bikes at 1:30 p.m., Griffin spoke to the crowd and had a donor say he’d match anyone who gave $100.
“It doesn’t get any better than this,” Griffin said, as one biker after another came up, giving $100 each. In just a couple of minutes, six bikers had given $100 each.
Moments later, the 50/50 drawing was held and it was announced that a staff member at Cane Creek Concrete won. She went up to Griffin and whispered in his ear, saying the members of her staff decided to donate all the money back for the Toy Run. That ended up being more than $1,000, Griffin said.
“Thank all of you. This is why I love serving this community. This is awesome,” he said. “Thank you so much, and thank you for giving.”
Source: BlueRidgeNow | Times-News
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