Bikers ready to ride for toys

In Warren County, people are used to seeing Santa Claus in curious situations.

He?s known to jump out of an airplane and parachute to awaiting children at Three Star Mall. And thanks to the eighth annual Warren County Toy Ride, Santa is becoming a familiar sight on the back of a Harley.

With this year?s Toy Ride scheduled for Dec. 9, bikers are preparing to make their rounds to area businesses to ask for donations. After receiving some unusual looks the first year or two, Toy Ride organizers say business owners have come to expect their visit this time of year.

?Now we have people calling us,? said Scott Cantrell, one of the Toy Ride organizers. ?They say, ?I have your check right here. Come pick it up.??

Last year?s event provided toys for 1,076 children. While donations fluctuate, organizers say they have traditionally spent between $17,000 and $20,000 on toys.

After the ride is complete, toys are purchased from Big Lots and Wal-Mart. It requires dozens of carts to accommodate a toy purchase of that magnitude.

?The people of Warren County have been real good to us,? said Cantrell. ?The whole town has gotten behind us.?

The toys are given to the Warren County Rescue Squad to help with its long-standing toy drive. Since its inception, the Toy Ride has worked with the rescue squad.

?Christmas is for kids and if this makes the kids happy then it makes us happy too,? said Cantrell, who is also a member of the rescue squad.

The Toy Ride is scheduled to leave McMinnville Ford at 1 p.m. Dec. 9. It will meander through McMinnville and travel down Main Street before making its way to the fairgrounds where it ends.

To make a donation or to find out more about the Toy Ride, call 247-4217 or 474-3523.