Riders will collect toys for children
By Lee Williams
Published in News on October 29, 2006 2:00 AM
Hundreds of motorcycle riders will strap on their helmets, climb on their bikes and travel from Smithfield to Goldsboro Nov. 4 to help collect dozens of toys for scores of special children.
Shelton's Harley-Davidson Inc. will sponsor this year's Fall Open House and the Harley Owners Group or H.O.G. Toy Run to benefit children at the Shriners Hospital and Shriners Burn Hospital.
Riders will line up at Shelton's Harley-Davidson Mall Shop at the outlet mall in Smithfield, start their engines and depart at noon, Wayne County Sheriff's Office Capt. George Raecher said.
An estimated 600 to 900 motorcyclists from all walks of life are expected to zip through the streets of North Carolina as they head for Goldsboro.
"They plan to arrive in Goldsboro at Shelton's Harley-Davidson motorcycle business at 606 Corporate Drive on U.S. 70 East Bypass at 12:45 p.m.," Raecher said.
The 23-mile trek could trigger hunger for many riders, so a barbecue lunch will be waiting once they arrive in Goldsboro. Toys also will be dropped off in Goldsboro.
"The toys collected will be donated to the Wayne Shrine Club for the Shriners Hospital for Children," Raecher said. "Shriners from the Wayne Shrine Club will be on hand to collect and box the toys for shipment to the Shriners Hospital in Greenville, S.C., and the Shriners Burn Hospital in Cincinatti, Ohio."
Raecher said he was thankful for the group's fundraising effort.
"The efforts and generosity of Shelton, his staff and the Goldsboro Harley Owners Group is appreciated beyond words," Raecher said.