Members of the Bordertown H.O.G.s and their local non-profit partners were all smiles last Saturday at the Gold Horse Casino as funds from this year’s toy run were split between Big Brothers Big Sisters Lloydminster, Lloydminster KidSport, The Lloydminster Community Youth Centre, and Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services, and seven other recipients.
The Bordertown H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) Chapter made some generous donations recently, with over $75,000 in cash and toys going to charities that help children.
Much of the funds were raised at their 12th annual Toy Drive, which was held in September.
“We raise funds for local kids’ charities. We try to help out families at Christmas, and throughout the year, that need a little extra help,” said Bordertown Toy Run co-chair Murray Getty.
“We’ve raised well over $700,000 in the 12-year history of the toy run, so it’s a fundraiser. It’s not just a bike ride.”
This year the fundraiser split most of its earnings between their four partner charities, along with seven other fortunate recipients.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters Lloydminster was given $13,950, Lloydminster KidSport $12,780, The Lloydminster Community Youth Centre $11,600, and Lloyd Sexual Assault Services $11,822.50.
The rest of the funds, roughly $21,000, were split between The Goat’s Christmas Wish, The Olive Tree, Salvation Army Lloydminster, both LCSD and LPSD lunch/breakfast programs, and Ronald McDonald House charities in both Edmonton and Saskatoon.
“I’ve been involved in the toy run since day one, either as a participant or organizer. I’ve been an organizer of the toy run for probably the last eight years,” said Getty.
“I want to be able to give back to the community and do something to help out. Lloydminster has been very good to me and I’ve had good fortune in Lloydminster and I want to be able to give back to the community. Every penny goes to charities that help out kids.”
He says the Bordertown HOGs are always looking for people to either participate in the fundraiser or sponsor.
“If people want to get involved they can contact myself or any other Bordertown HOG member, and they’ll put you in touch with the right people.
“We go out for public sponsorship and publish a poster every year. Out of the $75,000 we raised this year, about $50,000 was through corporate donations.”
The toy run consists of a full day of fun and fundraising, beginning at Denham Chrysler.
“We do fundraising all through the year, right up to the event. And then the day of we kick off from our title sponsor Denham Chrysler. We gather there, have breakfast there in the morning and the ride leaves from there,” said Getty, adding they had about 170 bikes and over 200 participants go on the ride.
“This year we went out to Turtleford, stopped there and helped out one of their local kids’ charities there. And then we come back into Lloyd and we hold a dinner and dance. We have live and silent auctions going on there.”
The 13th annual event is set to roll on Sept. 14, 2024.
For more information visit their Facebook page: Bordertown H.O.G. Chapter.
