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It’s that time of the year again, time for Nevada City and Grass Valley to roar with the sound of gift-toting motorcycles and their riders parading through the streets on their way to the Nevada County Fairgrounds for the 17th annual Nevada County Food and Toy Run. It’s so popular among the two-wheeled set that organizer and founder Thom Staser doesn’t have to spend money on advertising, meaning more dollars can be spent providing for Nevada County children and their families.
“We have done absolutely no advertising since the 10th Toy Run,” Staser says, “all is by word of mouth.” With listings in just a handful of motorcycle magazines, this Food and Toy Run attracts people from all walks of life on all types of bikes. Last year’s count totaled 1,709 motorcycles, most with two riders.
Staser says attendance depends largely upon weather conditions on the day of the run. “Great weather, great turnout; lousy weather, good turnout,” he quipped. Although wet conditions in 2006 kept those numbers down to 414, 2005 was a banner year, with 1,860 motorcycles as the official count.
The ride starts at the Rood Center in Nevada County at noon, but Staser and thousands of other participants start arriving at 9am; could be the free coffee and donuts that brings them in early, according to Grass Valley Police Chief John Foster, who claims to be an expert on donuts. Hot cider, sandwiches and snacks are also provided to the riders and their passengers.
The escorted procession meanders through Nevada City and Grass Valley on its way to the fairgrounds, with officers from multiple agencies directing traffic at affected intersections for the ride, which takes about 45 minutes to complete. Thousands of people line the route, which includes Broad Street in Nevada City and the old Nevada City Highway and Mill Street in Grass Valley, waving and shouting encouragement to the riders, who continue to be surprised each year by the community support, according to Staser.
But the real payoff occurs at the fairgrounds, where smiles on the faces of hundreds of children have an effect on even the toughest leather-clad biker. “Being able to watch a child pick up (your) toy has reduced more than one biker to tears,” Staser said, “as many of them know what these kids are going through.” Last year about 400 families received a turkey or canned ham, a bag of potatoes and a sack full of groceries, and each child received three toys, often the only toys they got for Christmas.
The run has become a local tradition that Staser is proud to have founded. “With us holding steady at an average of 1,500 bikes since the 10th Annual Nevada County Food and Toy Run, we feel we have done something positive for both the community and the riders,” he said. Being able to see who benefits from their generosity after the run is completed has helped make this event a must-do on many calendars, Staser adds. “(It) breeds the goodwill that keeps this so positive and has riders telling their friends to join them at the safest Toy Run in Northern California.”
This year’s run has an added bonus: Frank’s Pizza, a traditional post-run stop for the Toy Run Board of Directors, is re-opening in time for members to once again “relax with the best pizza in town after the Run!” Staser said. Owners Jack Davis and Pat Wright were the Honorary Grand Marshals of the Toy Run last year, noted Staser.
The Eric Rood Government Center is located at 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA, off Highway 49. Donations will be accepted at that location until the ride starts (12:00pm) and long-sleeved Toy Run t-shirts ($25) and pins ($5) are available for sale, with all proceeds going to the Nevada County Food and Toy Run and ultimately the children of this community. More information about this event is available at www.toyrun.org or by calling 530-470-0697.
“We have done absolutely no advertising since the 10th Toy Run,” Staser says, “all is by word of mouth.” With listings in just a handful of motorcycle magazines, this Food and Toy Run attracts people from all walks of life on all types of bikes. Last year’s count totaled 1,709 motorcycles, most with two riders.
Staser says attendance depends largely upon weather conditions on the day of the run. “Great weather, great turnout; lousy weather, good turnout,” he quipped. Although wet conditions in 2006 kept those numbers down to 414, 2005 was a banner year, with 1,860 motorcycles as the official count.
The ride starts at the Rood Center in Nevada County at noon, but Staser and thousands of other participants start arriving at 9am; could be the free coffee and donuts that brings them in early, according to Grass Valley Police Chief John Foster, who claims to be an expert on donuts. Hot cider, sandwiches and snacks are also provided to the riders and their passengers.
The escorted procession meanders through Nevada City and Grass Valley on its way to the fairgrounds, with officers from multiple agencies directing traffic at affected intersections for the ride, which takes about 45 minutes to complete. Thousands of people line the route, which includes Broad Street in Nevada City and the old Nevada City Highway and Mill Street in Grass Valley, waving and shouting encouragement to the riders, who continue to be surprised each year by the community support, according to Staser.
But the real payoff occurs at the fairgrounds, where smiles on the faces of hundreds of children have an effect on even the toughest leather-clad biker. “Being able to watch a child pick up (your) toy has reduced more than one biker to tears,” Staser said, “as many of them know what these kids are going through.” Last year about 400 families received a turkey or canned ham, a bag of potatoes and a sack full of groceries, and each child received three toys, often the only toys they got for Christmas.
The run has become a local tradition that Staser is proud to have founded. “With us holding steady at an average of 1,500 bikes since the 10th Annual Nevada County Food and Toy Run, we feel we have done something positive for both the community and the riders,” he said. Being able to see who benefits from their generosity after the run is completed has helped make this event a must-do on many calendars, Staser adds. “(It) breeds the goodwill that keeps this so positive and has riders telling their friends to join them at the safest Toy Run in Northern California.”
This year’s run has an added bonus: Frank’s Pizza, a traditional post-run stop for the Toy Run Board of Directors, is re-opening in time for members to once again “relax with the best pizza in town after the Run!” Staser said. Owners Jack Davis and Pat Wright were the Honorary Grand Marshals of the Toy Run last year, noted Staser.
The Eric Rood Government Center is located at 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA, off Highway 49. Donations will be accepted at that location until the ride starts (12:00pm) and long-sleeved Toy Run t-shirts ($25) and pins ($5) are available for sale, with all proceeds going to the Nevada County Food and Toy Run and ultimately the children of this community. More information about this event is available at www.toyrun.org or by calling 530-470-0697.
Note: Every year there are a few people who complain about blocked intersections and having to wait for the bikes to pass before they can get where they’re going. Now is the time to plan an alternative route around the procession or avoid the area altogether between noon and 1pm. It’s a charity event that benefits so many people in our area and surely we can all afford a one hour inconvenience. Better yet, buy a toy, take it to the fairgrounds and join in the fun!
Received an email from Miki DeZorzi of Electric Car Living that ZAP is offering a $500 rebate direct from the factory on vehicles purchased during the month of December, effective today. That is in addition to sale prices and the $200 discount offered to Wheels readers who bring a copy of the Nov. 28th column on the updated ZAP car to Electric Car Living, 6839 Five Star Blvd., Rocklin (916-645-1250).
