COUNTY - It might seem a little early in the year for Santa Claus to arrive, but then again he doesn't usually ride into town on a motorcycle.

 The jolly old elf will once again lead the way September 11 as a local bike club, the Maritime Motorcycle Touring Association (MMTA), hosts its 24th annual toy run. The event raises donations for children in need - toys, school supplies and cash - which are then turned over to the Salvation Army for distribution through its Christmas program.

 The ride typically attracts well over 100 bikes, sometimes as many as 200.

 "It's been said that if any organization needs help raising any funds or raising awareness, or in this case toys or school supplies, if you need a group to do that you turn to the biking community. The motorcycle community as a whole will always pull together and make things happen for organizations," MMTA president Steve Brown says.

 "They're just a good, generous group of people who are willing to help out in any capacity that they can," he adds.

 Riders will gather in the parking lot across from St. James' Anglican Church in Mahone Bay. The tour will leave there at 1 p.m. and travel through Maders Cove into Lunenburg to the monument, turning right to head to Riverport and on through Dayspring.

 In Bridgewater, the bikes will drive along LaHave Street and cross Veterans' Memorial Bridge, then travel up Victoria Road and across High Street to the Bridgewater Plaza. Riders will turn over their donations and enjoy refreshments at the Salvation Army Thrift Store.

 Many riders will bring cash donations, but Mr. Brown says it's also a day to see lots of stuffed toys riding on motorcycles. All the Salvation Army asks is that toys and school supplies be new and unwrapped.

 The South Shore Toy Run was founded in 1987 and has been held every year since then. Bikers typically come from as far away as the Annapolis Valley, the Halifax region and Yarmouth to participate.

 All makes of bikes and all riders are welcome.

 And people don't have to have a motorcycle to help the cause. Donations for the toy run can be delivered to the parking lot in Mahone Bay before 1 p.m. or to the Salvation Army Thrift Store around 2 p.m.

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 People are welcome to follow the riders to make their contributions. For safety reasons, bikers can't stop along the route to accept donations.

 People can also lend support along the roads by waving encouragement. The bikers, including Santa Claus, will be happy to wave and toot their horns in response.

 Mr. Brown says the encouragement means a lot to the riders, who see that people enjoy seeing the motorcycles and appreciate what they're doing.

 "That's probably one of the greatest things we like to see. Quite often, there are families that will sit on the front steps of their homes waiting for us to go by so that they can wave," he says.

 "The public has a chance to see us, as bikers, out in the community helping the community. It's a way for them to say hello. It's a way for us to acknowledge them."

posted on 09/07/10