Santa Claus wasn't riding a sleigh, but sitting on top of a sea of motorcycles in West Sacramento on Sunday.
With a roar of their engines, more than 1,000 bikers streamed out of Raley Field for the 32nd annual Modified Motorcycle Association of California's toy drive.
A plethora of toys was spotted strapped onto bikes headed out for a five-mile toy ride on Sacramento freeways: a teddy bear, Tigger and Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals, a Razor scooter, a tea set and even a tricycle.
Bikers showed up for the event to donate toys that the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will distribute to churches and local social service organizations to hand out for Christmas.
Sunday's event is the largest toy drive for the Toys for Tots program in the Sacramento area, said Staff Sgt. Michael Crane, one of the coordinators of the Toys for Tots program.
"We want every needy child to get a toy for Christmas," he said.
The hope was that 2,000 to 3,000 toys would be collected from Sunday's toy ride. With the tough economic times, the need from groups that assist needy families is likely to increase, Crane said.
The program collects new toys for children, from newborns up to 17 years of age. All the donations in the Sacramento area are distributed to local groups, he said.
Doug Randall has participated in the ride for six years and wanted to make sure he made it this year.
"Because the economy is in the pits right now, lots of kids go without," the Folsom resident said.
He said also he enjoys the camaraderie and the opportunity to check out the other bikes.
Mark and Cindy Sconce of Sacramento have joined other toy rides over the years, but this was their first in Sacramento.
"We just want to give back to the community and do what we can," Mark Sconce said.
Cindy Sconce said she hopes that the gifts that are distributed will help bring some joy.
"We want to make sure no child is forgotten," she said.
Information about donating new toys and money to the Marines' Toys for Tots program can be found on the Web at toysfortotssacramento.org.
Call The Bee's Sandy Louey, (916) 321-1088.
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