Thousands of motorcycles rumbled through the streets of Nevada City and Grass Valley Saturday in the 19th annual Nevada County Toy Run.

“This was probably the fourth or fifth biggest, and the best we've had in the last four years,” said organizer Thom Staser.

Riders came from as far away as Oregon, Nevada and southern California, delivering gifts and food to those in need at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

“You see bikers crying and families overwhelmed,” Staser said. “People whistled and applauded on the streets.”

While the Toy Run aims to help out 300 families every year, Staser guessed each biker averaged three toys and brought more food than planned, supplying groups from Head Start to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“I grew up here and the mills and mines would shut down in the winter,” Staser said. “I always thought this would be something the community could use.”

Go to www.toyrun.org or e-mail info@toyrun.org for more information or to get involved next year.

To contact Staff Writer Greyson Howard, e-mail ghoward@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4237.

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