Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Take a joy ride

Toy Run gathers gifts for Christmas

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By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

Riders head out of Ketchum for the annual Toy Run rally for kids in need. Photo by Mountain Express

The motorcyclists traveling down Highway 75 on Saturday, Sept. 25, are not going south for the winter. They are riding to help bring Christmas cheer to Wood River Valley kids for the 18th annual Wood River Valley Toy Run—rain or shine.

The ride will leave from Grumpy's restaurant on Warm Springs Road in Ketchum at 1 p.m. and will end with a barbecue at the Silver Dollar Saloon in Bellevue. The Silver Dollar will have live music by the bands Slow Children Playing and Str8up.

Along the route, riders will stop at the Wicked Spud in Hailey to drop off new toys. The toys will be distributed on Dec. 15, for the Christmas holidays to families in need.

"You don't have to ride to participate," said longtime Toy Run organizer Mike Kelly. "It's good to help people who are having a rough go of it. I have been there and so have others."

Each year, more than 500 people participate in the Toy Run.

"With good weather, we hope to have 100 to 175 motorcycles," Kelly said. "This year we made T-shirts to sell and raised an additional $5,000. We will sell them until we run out and will take orders for more."

Kelly said cash is also appreciated to give older kids gift certificates to the movies or restaurants. Discount toys are available at The Toy Store in Ketchum and Hailey and King's in Hailey. All toys must be new and cost $15 or more.

For details, call 788-1642 or 721-1136.

Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com

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