WGEM.com: Quincy News, Weather, Sports, and RadioArea Bikers Spread Holiday Cheer

Area Bikers Spread Holiday Cheer

QUINCY, Ill. (WGEM) -- Christmas is just around the corner, and many local families are struggling to put presents under the tree.

But some area motorcyclists are helping to change that.

Around 35 bikers, including Santa, took to the streets to make this Christmas a little merrier for some local children.

"There's just a lot of children in the community that may be from families that can't afford to go out and buy a lot of toys, and we don't want those kids to miss having a good Christmas," said John Kladstrup, organizer of this years Toy Run.

For the 8th year, the River Roads Hog Chapter held a toy run to deliver everything from bikes to board games to the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program.

"We donated a couple of remote control toys to a couple boys, hopefully they'll enjoy them," said Glen Swick.

For some area children, the toy donated may be the only thing they have to unwrap on Christmas morning, and the Salvation Army says there are still many in need of a present.

"These toys are so much needed especially this year with the economy in the state that we find it," said Major Alan Wurtz with The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army expects to have around 1,500 children in need of a toy. That's up from last year when around 1,200 children applied for the program.

"At Christmas time no kid should be sitting there empty handed so we're glad we can help," said Swick.

The Toy Run is just the beginning.  You can help out by picking up an Angel tag between now and Christmas.

Angel Tree tags are available at both Walmart and the Quincy Mall. The tag will tell you if you are shopping for a boy or a girl, their age and a few gift suggestions.