LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Motorcycle Association and the Marine Corps hosted Louisville’s 41st annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Run on Sunday.
Dale Corum, a member of the Kentucky Motocycle Association, has been going to the annual motorcycle run for decades and this year he is in charge of it.
“One thing I know about bikers is typically they rally around the opportunity to give to the communities, raise money, do things certainly for children. It’s something we can all get behind. It feels good to be a part of it. I’ve been doing it now since 1999, not missed a part of either riding or working the event, and I don’t plan on missing one anytime soon,” said Corum.
To participate in the ride, motorcyclists donate a toy. In years past, Corum said, they have collected around 7000 toys, but this year the weather is raining on the parade.
“Today, rain and weather, it’s going to be a small crowd, it’s really hard to say, but as someone just said, the weather may not be good, but it’s never a bad day to give,” said Corum.
The toys they are collecting will go to underprivileged children in Jefferson, Oldham, Henry, Shelby, Spencer and Owen county.
The Salvation Army makes sure the presents get to children in need.
“As we start to leave, you can see some people have got four or five or six toys strapped on their bike. We’ve had people bring bicycles and I’ve seen motorcycle ride through here with four bicycles strapped on the back of it before. So most people give a lot more than just a gift or two,” he said.
Corum said they often get toys for children under 10, but there is an age group that he said is often forgotten about.
“The age group that gets left out are pre-teens, early teens, 10 to 13 years old. We love stuff for them, too. So a little bit of everything,” he said.
Corum said there are donation boxes all over Jefferson County.