Photo courtesy of Scott Roblin

By Scott Roblin

Toy Run

Toy Run carrying on for 34th annual fundraiser next month

Aug 24, 2020 | 5:37 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – It’s a fundraiser that’s been held every year in Medicine Hat since 1986 and even though it will look a bit different, the Santa Claus Toy Run will be going ahead next month.

Organizers of the annual charity drive will be holding the motorcycle-based event on September 12, with the goal of collecting hundreds of toys for local kids ahead of the holiday season.

Toy Run promotional director Heather McCaig said they weren’t sure whether COVID-19 was going to cancel the event, but is thrilled to see it go ahead.

“We really believe in this cause and we’ve been doing it for 34 years,” said McCaig. “We didn’t want to take a break from it, so we’re happy to be able to do it in any form that we can.”

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In most years, motorcyclists take the annual trek together from Irvine to Medicine Hat with a drop-off of donations concluding the ride.

There won’t be that communal aspect this year as a result of the pandemic, as riders are encouraged to take their own paths on September 12 and drop-off their donations at some point during the day.

Last year, the Toy Run helped serve over 1,200 local kids and the need is even more this year according to organizers.

“We knew it was bad last year because of the economic downturn, so we’re expecting it to be even worse this year,” said McCaig. “So, any of us that are in the community that can afford to do something, even five dollars goes a long way. We really, really want to give back, we’ve always enjoyed Medicine Hat, we love being here. Most of us grew up in the city, so it’s one of those things where we give back where we can and this is one way to do that.”

The ‘Holiday Home’ collection site next to Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt off Dunmore Road will be open between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm on September 12 and cash donations are also being accepted.

McCaig said these toys and donations make a big difference in the lives of locals and is thankful to see the yearly outpouring of support from the community.

“We’re looking for anything from babies all the way up to teenagers,” she said. “Teenagers love gift cards and those kind of things. But, we are down on stock from where we usually are at this point, so we will take anything anyone is able to give.”

Those who would like to drop-off donations ahead of September 12 can do so at Badlands Harley Davidson, while a breakfast with proceeds going towards the Toy Run will be held that morning at the Irvine Hotel.