A little rain can't stop the West Kootenay Toy Run from being a success
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Bruce Fuhr,
The Nelson Daily Staff
Even a little rain . . . well maybe a lot of rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of motorcycle enthusiasts as more than 270 riders braved inclement conditions Sunday morning for the annual West Kootenay Toy Run.
“Considering that it rained, sometimes in massive amounts and there are a lot of fair-weather riders, to have 250-plus people come out speaks volumes about the West Kootenay Toy Run and what is stand for,” said president James Kallin.
“I’m totally blown away.”
Kallin said during past Toy Runs, when sunshine covered the bikers, the event attracts between 500 to 600 riders.
Despite the lower than normal numbers, the Toy Run still reached its fundraising goal of $25,000.
“The (Harley Davidson) bike raffle is our big fundraiser and it always sells out,” Kallin explained.
The winner of this 2010 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide motorcycle was Vern Lum of Grand Forks.
The irony of this winner is Lum didn’t even know he had a ticket.
“When I called him the phone kept breaking up and he thought it was a mistake because (Lum) didn’t even purchase a ticket,” said Kallin.
“I asked him if he knew anyone who would purchase a ticket and he thought about his wife.”
Lum’s wife Shawna made the purchase at Leather & Steel Bike shop in Fruitvale.
The West Kootenay Toy Run also receives toy and cash donations during the day of the ride, which tops up the grand total.
The West Kootenay Toy Run starts in Castlegar with a breakfast and registration.
Riders trek to Nelson for the first stop before heading off to Salmo for lunch at the Fire Hall.
The riders travel onto Trail, Rossland before returning to Castlegar.
The West Kootenay Toy Run distributes toys and money to food banks and women’s transition houses throughout the region.
“It stopped raining on the way to Salmo and we saw dry roads again by Trail,” said Kallin.
No doubt the even a little rain can’t dampen the spirits of motorcycle enthusiasts in the West Kootenay.
Which will make children happier come Christmas.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
