News
When Thom Staser got off his motorcycle Saturday, he was a bit disappointed.
Driving rains had held the 18th Annual Nevada County Food and Toy Run he coordinates for needy families at 250 riders. That was way down from last year, when 1,271 bike riders showed up to donate and watch needy families enjoy the gifts.
And then a little girl named Lilly, who said she was “five years big,” gave Staser a homemade card. Inside it was revealed that Lilly's father had died in May.
“Thank you so very much,” the card read. “May your warm hearts keep you warm on this ride.” Staser said he shed a tear and then reminded himself that the holiday spirit shines through even the darkest clouds.
“Luckily we had a whole bunch of people come up in their cars and trucks,” Staser said, with about 750 riders, donors and families turning out for the event that was held at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
“People were here from Tulare, San Francisco and beyond,” Staser said. “They always say how much it means to them because this is the only toy run where you get to see the kids with their toys, and that's the main draw for us.”
The crowd got to see families take home 150 turkeys, 150 hams, 300 ten-pound bags of potatoes, “and I don't know how many grocery bags of food,” Staser said. Hundreds of toys were also given out and no child went without.
Staser started the Toy Run after deciding he wanted to uphold a family tradition of helping others during the holidays. When he was growing up in Nevada City, Staser's family always fed a large crowd on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, although the family wasn't wealthy.
Although the event only lasts one day, Staser works on it all year in order to logistically bring permits, police, volunteers and sponsors together.
“I started (working on next year) again today,” he said Sunday.
To donate to the 2010 Toy Run, you can send a check to Toy Run, P.O. Box 549, Nevada City, CA, 95959.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
Driving rains had held the 18th Annual Nevada County Food and Toy Run he coordinates for needy families at 250 riders. That was way down from last year, when 1,271 bike riders showed up to donate and watch needy families enjoy the gifts.
And then a little girl named Lilly, who said she was “five years big,” gave Staser a homemade card. Inside it was revealed that Lilly's father had died in May.
“Thank you so very much,” the card read. “May your warm hearts keep you warm on this ride.” Staser said he shed a tear and then reminded himself that the holiday spirit shines through even the darkest clouds.
“Luckily we had a whole bunch of people come up in their cars and trucks,” Staser said, with about 750 riders, donors and families turning out for the event that was held at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
“People were here from Tulare, San Francisco and beyond,” Staser said. “They always say how much it means to them because this is the only toy run where you get to see the kids with their toys, and that's the main draw for us.”
The crowd got to see families take home 150 turkeys, 150 hams, 300 ten-pound bags of potatoes, “and I don't know how many grocery bags of food,” Staser said. Hundreds of toys were also given out and no child went without.
Staser started the Toy Run after deciding he wanted to uphold a family tradition of helping others during the holidays. When he was growing up in Nevada City, Staser's family always fed a large crowd on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, although the family wasn't wealthy.
Although the event only lasts one day, Staser works on it all year in order to logistically bring permits, police, volunteers and sponsors together.
“I started (working on next year) again today,” he said Sunday.
To donate to the 2010 Toy Run, you can send a check to Toy Run, P.O. Box 549, Nevada City, CA, 95959.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
