CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Bikers Who Care (BWC) motorcycle group brought together an estimated 1,500 bikers at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, for the 39th annual Leslie W. Watson Toy Run. With assistance from first responders, the group gathered thousands of toys for local children in need.
“It shows a lot of community bonding, a lot on interest, and it’s all about the children. We wanna make sure everybody has a gift come Christmas,” said BWC member Lewis Odeo.
Santa Clause himself made a special stop at the toy run to help collect donations and to thank local bikers for their help.
While BWC has had to cancel many fundraising events in 2020, the club was intent on holding the Toy Run, which is one of their largest events each year.
“Clarksville Fire Rescue has always helped us out, and every year we fill two of their big rigs with toys. All the toys we collect are presented to The Salvation Army and local churches, then distributed to local families who are in need of a little help during the holiday season. We’re proud and happy to be doing this, we haven’t missed a Toy Run in 39 years,” Said BWC Director Bill Langford.
The bikers left The Wilma Rudolph Event Center at Liberty Park, riding through downtown Clarksville and Madison Street before arriving at Appleton’s Harley Davidson, where they handed off their cargo to Clarksville Fire Rescue, who filled the back of a semi truck with donations of toys and games for children of all ages.
Following the collection, BWC members celebrated another successful year with an after party in the Appleton parking lot.
For more on Bikers Who Care events, visit them on Facebook or at https://bikerswhocare.org
Source: Clarksville Now