Yes, Humboldt, There is a Santa and He Rides a Motorcycle

Several hundred motorcyclists converged on the Arcata Plaza Sunday for the 40th United Bikers of the North Coast Humboldt Chapter’s 40th Toy Run. The break in the rain that had been pelting the North Coast provided a great backdrop for the run, which took bikers from the Plaza to the Moose Lodge in Eureka via State Highway 255 and through the streets of Eureka. The Run gathers toys from riders with the collected gifts going to The Eureka Rescue Mission.

Bryan Hall Senior, Executive Director of the Eureka Rescue Mission said, “There would be a lot of kids not getting presents to open for Christmas this year if it wasn’t for these bikers getting together for this event.”

Hall noted that the massive collection of toys gathered in front of the stage at the Moose Lodge was as big or bigger than last year. Hall said that the Rescue Mission had received applications for toys from about 150 families and that they keep a small fund to supplement any toy needs should the drive not gather enough toys to meet the requests.

Boy Scout Troop 99 of McKinleyville was on hand to help load the toys and deliver them to the Rescue Mission following the event. They have been participating for 15 years.

Vince Campbell, President of the UNBC Humboldt chapter was thrilled with the success of the event and the weather. Campbell stated that he had been riding in the event for around 25 to 27 years and estimated that the ride had at least two hundred bikes participate.

The long line of approximately two hundred motorcycles heads for Eureka after leaving the Plaza in Arcata.