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Attached is the newspaper article from the Ft.
Worth Star Telegram newspaper about the 1999 Dallas/ Ft. Worth toy
run:
By Paul Bourgeois
Star-Telegram Staff Writer ARLINGTON --Two 10 mile long ribbons of
leather,
chrome and roar, one from Fort Worth and the other from Dallas, converged at the Arlington Convention Center yesterday afternoon to conclude the biggest Tarrant County Toy Run in its 14-year history. Motorcyclists from the farthest reaches of Texas
and
parts unknown thundered in for the opportunity to ride with a biker pack estimated at more than 15,000, but even more so to help the thousands of children served by Tarrant County Mental Health Mental Retardation Services and Dallas County-Christian Community Action. Organizers said they expected 15,000 to 20,000
toys
and $25,000 to $30,000 in donations to be equally divided between the agencies. The bikers started arriving at the convention
center at
1:30 p.m. More than an hour later the procession hadn't slowed, and the convention center's vast parking lot was a sea of chrome and rubber. Inside could be found more leather than at a
King
Ranch roundup, more piercings than at a New Orleans tattoo parlor and more good will than at just about anywhere. "The beauty of this is that you have rival
motorcycle
clubs who put their hard feelings aside for the kids," said "Nasty" Nick Taddonio of Arlington, an organizer for the past 13 years. Last year, he said, they collected $25,000 in
cash and
more than $100,000 in "stuff" to help the children. With bright, sunny weather and temperatures perfect for a bike ride, Taddonio said the bikers were sure to exceed last year's gifts. "Why do we do this? Why not?" he said.
"There's a
need and we want to do it. It's also a big deal to ride in a pack." "It's for the kids, the camaraderie, the
spirit, and it's
also a good excuse to get on a scooter," said Jim Jackson, who rides a Harley Dyna-glide. Tammy Hise, director of community relations
for
Christian Community Action, said the agency will have no trouble finding good homes for the thousands of toys. Community Action provides emergency
assistance,
food and housing to thousands of families in 26 communities, primarily in Dallas and Denton counties. "It's just unbelievable," she said
over the roar of a
herd of Harley-Davidsons. Bonny Logsdon, director of volunteer development
for
MHMR, said that the growth of the event has been phenomenal, from fewer than 10 riders the first year to more than 15,000 bikers yesterday. A few of the children served by MHMR were on
hand to
have their Christmas dreams fulfilled in person. The throng and the accompanying noise left
James
Randall, 5, a kindergartner from S.S. Dillow Elementary in east Fort Worth, at a loss for words. "A blue bike," was all he could muster when asked what he wanted. Chrisanie Cunningham, 11, a fourth-grader at
Louise
Blanton Elementary in Arlington, also had a bike in mind, as did Travis Taylor, 9, a third-grader at Natha Howell Elementary in Haltom City. Their dreams were realized as Santa, who
knows
something about bikes, thundered in on a Harley Lowrider, ho-ho-ho-ing all the way. Logsdon said anyone who felt left out can
send
donations to: The Tarrant County Toy Run, c/o Tarrant County MHMR, 3840 Hulen Towers North, 76107, or call 569-4340. |