"FOR THE KIDS"
"Big Kids Helping Little Kids"

By Joyce Godwin
Herald Democrat

It was bitter cold when I headed to Denison the morning of Dec. 3 for the annual motorcycle run For the Kids Toy Run; "big kids helping little kids." It's one of the highlights of my year as a newspaper reporter and I wondered what kind of turnout to expect.

There’s something about seeing all those motorcycles gathered in one area for the purpose of helping needy children. This was my fifth year to be witness to what I think is a marvelous event. I get to go around and take pictures as riders wait for the official start-up. I love to hear the stories of riders, some with children, who tell how they came to ride the long distances many traverse to be there for the motorcycle run.

Often, they say they’ll go for any motorcycle run, and others say they only ride on those supporting charity. Since the annual run is held early in December, the weather is usually frigid. I don't think this year's was as bad as last year's but it was close. My husband asked me that morning if I was going to ride with someone this year. "Are you crazy?" I asked him. "Those people have all the clothes to protect themselves against the wind and cold and there’s no way I could handle that."

Truth is, I don't handle cold very well and I met some riders who say the same thing. But they were still going to ride that toy run "for the kids."

When we were all at Susie Q's for lunch, I ran into Sam Hayes, fire chief at the Grayson County Airport. He said I could have ridden with him on his new bike and I wouldn't have been cold. I'm still a little suspect, but I might try it next time.

One of my favorite things to do is to stand on the grassy area next to SH 84 and watch all the bikes pass by with their toys as passengers. There's just something about all those motors revved up and falling into formation as they begin the trek to Sherman and back. It gets my heart to pumping. I always wave to the riders I recognize and others wave to me so I wave back. They make me feel like the official send-off person and I like that.

One thing that stands out in my observations is this: decide to hold a motorcycle run and motorcycle enthusiasts will respond; decide to hold one to help children, and they'll come out in droves.

I've made some special friends in those circles of motorcycle riders and I expect them to be lifelong. What a great bunch of folks. You have my heart.