Motorcyclists Cruise Beltway To Give Away Hundreds Of Toys
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- More than 300 motorcyclists from the mid-Atlantic cruise the Beltway to deliver hundreds of toys. The giveaway has nothing to do with the holidays, but it is a celebration of life.
Tim Williams has more on the Kennedy Krieger Institute's event.
It's not a toy drive, it's a toy ride. The reason it's not in December is because there's no special time to make a child smile.
"Some of the toys will be left over to be distributed at Christmas. Other organizations do donate toys, but we decided to go with toys because what child doesn't love a toy any time of the year," said toy ride supporter Wayne Bright.
More than 300 motorcycle riders--with their bikes packed with toys--descended on the Kennedy Krieger Institute. The purpose for this "Ride for a Reason?"
"Toys are how children learn and grow. And so to be able to get toys donated to our families so that they can use them in therapy sessions and use them to give sunshine and brightness to their day just makes it an amazing event for us," said Elisa Delia, Kennedy Krieger Institute.
Kennedy Krieger improves lives of children and adolescents with disorders and injuries of the spine and the brain. Sunday, families picnicked and picked toys.
"It's good for her to see all the kids come out and see all the fun that they can have and not be pinned up in the hospital all day long. It's really, really nice," said Isabella and Crystal Albert.
April Darchicourt's daughter, Kara, was the motivation behind starting this event. In 15 years, it's raised more than $20,000.
"She would have been turning 19 the 26th of this month. She was four and a half years old when she passed. I guess this is my way of giving back in remembrance," Darchicourt said.
Donations help offset uncovered medical expenses and needs.
"Sitting there and seeing those little kids, what they're going through. That's true courage to see them deal with what they deal with every day," said rider and supporter Jeffrey Magee.
