"Hope for the Holidays" Toy Drive/Motorcycle Run Benefits Brightside

Motorcyclists gather before starting the Brightside Toy Run to Mercy Medical Center.

Thanks to the efforts of organizers of the "Hope for the Holidays" Toy Drive/Motorcycle Run, the holiday season will be a little brighter for those served by Brightside for Families and Children. The annual event, held over three days, 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 over $21,000 in donations. Collected items will also be distributed to needy children through Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry in Chicopee.

The Toy Drive/Motorcycle Run culminated on Sunday, November 5, when more than 600 motorcycle riders escorted the trucks filled with toys to Mercy Medical Center, where they were met by Brightside staff members.

The Brightside Toy Drive/Motorcycle Run has a long history and this was the 37th annual event. Special thanks to event organizers Bruce Rivest, Melvyn Hook, and Peter Silvano, and to the sponsors of this year's "Hope for the Holidays" Toy Drive/Motorcycle Run: Custom Identity Apparel, Indian Motorcycle of Springfield, In memory of Patrick Rud, Moose Family Fraternity, Sons of Mothers MC, Long Riders MC, Cosmos Factory, Z.Z. & Company BBQ, Red’s Towing and Recovery, ATC Audio Video and Lighting, Renegade Souls RC, Christian Motorcyclists Association, Massachusetts Motorcycle Association, Crippled Old Busted Bikers, Polish Brotherhood, FLNY Ryderz, Chicopee Police, Springfield Police, 94.7 WMAS, Elks Riders Lodge 1481, Walmart, The Hanley Family, and Philly’s Motorcycle Detailing.