VALDOSTA — Local motorcycle riders are gearing up for the 31st annual Toy Ride in Lowndes County, taking to the road to ensure no child gets left behind this Christmas.
Wednesday, Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson signed a proclamation declaring Dec. 16 — the date of the toy ride — as Toy Ride Day forevermore.
The ride has been hosted for more than three decades by the Outback Riders club of Valdosta.
Bikers who sign up for the toy ride bring a child’s toy, which will be gathered up by the Salvation Army at the end of the run for distribution to needy families in the Valdosta area at Christmas. Matheson said 500-600 families usually benefit from the ride each year.
The toy ride will take its traditional route this year, starting from Roger Budd’s outlet mall in Lake Park up U.S. 41. through Valdosta to the Five Points shopping center parking lot, where a 50/50 drawing will be held, raising money for the Empty Stocking Fund.
A “blessing of the bikes” will be held at 1:15 p.m., followed by the start of the ride in Lake Park, rain or shine, at 1:30 p.m.
Pre-registration for the ride will be held from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 15 at Mikki’s Bar in Valdosta.
Tina Dooley, an Outback Riders member who has worked on the toy run for 11 years, said there should be upward of 1,500 riders, based on past events.
“We get the satisfaction that a lot of kids will get these toys,” she said. “No child should wake up on Christmas without something.”
For more information on the toy ride, call 229-460-2521 or 229-561-7125.