Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
American Legion Riders host toy run to supply Christmas event.
Members of the New Mexico American Legion Riders Chapter 2 show off the toys it collected before starting the bikers for kids toy run on Saturday. The toys will be given to underprivileged kids at the club's annual Christmas party on Dec. 16.
CLOVIS — If you saw a group of motorcycle riders traveling around eastern New Mexico on Saturday, they were likely riding for a good cause.
On Saturday New Mexico American Legion Riders Chapter 2 in partnership with High Plains Harley Davidson hosted the annual Bikers for Kids Toy Run.
For the past 10 years the American Legion Riders have hosted a Christmas party where free toys are distributed to underprivileged children for the holidays.
But before they can hold the Christmas party, the American Legion Riders host the toy run in order to gather supplies for the party.
To register for the event riders brought a toy to be given out at the Christmas party as well as $5 a person, which will be used to buy more toys to give away to the kids.
The event started with lunch at High Plains Harley Davidson before riders made stops in Portales, Melrose and at American Legion Post 25 in Clovis before ultimately wrapping up back at the store.
American Legion Riders Secretary Janet Romeo said she and the fellow riders enjoy the opportunity to give back to the community and children in need.
"It's just anything to help the kids out, is what it is" Romero said
High Plains Harley Davidson Event Coordinator Ben Sterns said the two events help show people a different side of motorcycle riding that they don't typically see.
"Helping out our community and helping out others is the biggest part of riding there is," Sterns said. "A lot of people look at riders and don't think that of us. We're probably the most generous group of people that you'll ever meet in your life."
About 50 people participated in this year's ride and Romero said the riders are hoping to match the 450 toys that were given out at last year's party.
