Brightside Benefits from Annual "Hope for the Holidays" Toy Drive/Motorcycle Run
November 13, 2025Categories: Events
The holiday season will be a little brighter for those served by Brightside for Families and Children this year, thanks to the efforts of organizers of the "Hope for the Holidays" Toy Drive/Motorcycle Run.
Santa left his sleigh behind and jumped on a motorcycle to join in on the fun.
Held over three days, the annual event resulted in the collection of two truckloads of toys including bicycles, puzzles, stuffed animals, arts and crafts supplies, board games, and sports equipment, as well as gift cards and monetary donations – which are still being tallied. A portion of the toys will also be distributed to needy children through Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen in Chicopee.
After gathering in the parking lot of the Walmart store in Chicopee on Sunday, November 9, more than 600 motorcycle riders, Santa, Chapin Ambulance and Chicopee Police Officers escorted the trucks filled with toys to Mercy Medical Center, where they were met by Brightside staff members and enjoyed refreshments.
The Brightside Toy Drive/Motorcycle Run has a long history, and this was the 39th annual event. Special thanks to event organizers Emanuel Afonso, Jared Berkeley, Ralph DiChiara and Bruce Rivest for their dedicated efforts to make this year’s event a success.
Motorcyclists arrived at Mercy Medical Center at the conclusion of the Brightside Toy Run.
Edna Rodríguez, LP-PsyD, Regional Director of Behavioral Health, Trinity Health Of New England, thanks motorcyclists for their participation in the annual Brightside Toy Run as members of the Longriders MC look on.
Members of the Brightside team with Toy Run organizers Manny Afonso and Jared Berkeley.
Brightside Toy Run organizers Manny Afonso (left) and Jared Berkeley (right) of the Longriders MC.