TOYS FOR CHILDREN
Brunswick Harley Owners Group host 20th annual Toys for Tots Benefit Ride
BRUNSWICK, N.Y. >> The local motorcycle community hopped on their Harleys over the weekend, gathering in a group effort to spread holiday cheer with the 20th annual Toys for Tots Benefit Ride.
The event, hosted by the Brunswick Harley Owners Group, brought together hundreds of motorcyclists from around the region for the yearly fundraiser, a benefit for the U. S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaign that gives toys to children in need during the holiday season.
This year, the bikers began at Brunswick Harley-Davidson then traveled 26 miles through Troy, Waterford, Clifton Park, Schenectady, Glenville, and Niskayuna, before ending with a post- event gather- ing at LT’s Grill.
Participants made monetary contributions or donated new unwrapped toys to the 2018 Capital Region Toys for Tots campaign, which kicked off on Oct. 1 and will continue through Dec. 22.
Gunnery Sgt. Albert Roman Jr. of the U.S. Marine Corps explained why efforts like this ride are extremely important, especially this year with challenges like the closing of Toys “R” Us and the loss of a partnership with Amtrak.
“We need all of the support that we can get,” Roman said, who is the Capital Region Toys for Tots coordinator.
Despite these obstacles, Roman is confident that with the help of organizations such as the Brunswick Harley Owners Group and others, the campaign will serve the expected
"What people don’t realize is there’s a lot of disadvantaged children in the area that’s covered by the Capital Region Toys for Tots. It’s all about supporting the troops and helping the kids." — Brunswick Harley Owners Group director Tom Hall
170,000 children in need throughout its 14- county region that includes Albany, Broome, Clinton, Essex, Fulton, Franklin, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Washington and Warren counties.
“We are going to succeed and we are going to bring Christmas to all of the kids in the Capital Region, no matter what,” he said.
Brunswick Harley Owners Group director Tom Hall was happy that the lo-
cal organization could help the cause, as it has for the past two decades.
“We have raised tens of thousands of dollars over the 20 years,” he said as more and more bikes rolled into the parking lot at Brunswick Harley-Davidson on Sunday morning.
“We do it for the kids,” Hall said on why the group continues this tradition. “What people don’t realize is there’s a lot of disadvantaged children in the area that’s covered by the Capital Region Toys for Tots.”
Troy resident Dean Courter, a former Marine who attends the ride each year dressed as Santa Claus, also recognizes the impor- tance of this cause. “It’s all about supporting the troops and helping the kids.”
Also among the large crowd of bikers gathered at Brunswick Harley-Davidson before the ride was Sen. Kathleen Marchione.
“I’m here to support the men and women here who are doing so much for Toys for Tots,” she said. “It’s a tremendous event, great peo-
“I’m here to support the men and women here who are doing so much for Toys for Tots.” — Sen. Kathleen Marchione
ple … It’s just a wonderful event that brings toys to children. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
More information about the 2018 Capital Region Toys for Tots campaign and ways to help is available online at albany-ny.toysfortots.org.