Motorcyclists To Ride for Toys, Needy

Thursday, November 18, 2004

By Donna Redman
For the Journal
    The Rio Rancho chapter of the ABATE motorcycle club will hold its 12th Annual Rio Rancho Toy Run on Sunday, starting at 11 a.m.
    The run begins at the Italian American Association at 1565 Stephanie and continues for 23 miles.
    "We meet at my shop around 11 a.m.," said Richard Weinbrecht, owner of Crossroads Cycles, at a meeting of ride organizers last week. "Everybody has coffee and doughnuts and waits for everybody to get in line. We go out to Northern, over to Unser, down to (U.S.) 550, back to N.M. 528, down Corrales Road, detour to Loma Larga, to Meadowlark, then back to Stephanie."
    The cyclists line up two abreast. Some ride with passengers who toss goodies to spectators along the route.
    "Our procession was measured last year," said ABATE member Beverly Covert at the meeting. "It was four miles long. And the temperature was 19 (degrees)."
    ABATE is an acronym for American Bikers Aim Towards Education.
    After the ride there will be food and live music by the Weatherman Said band, as well as competitive motorcycle games hosted by the Christian Motorcycle Association.
    Those who wish to participate in the ride or the events afterward can do so by bringing a toy and two nonperishable food items or other items, such as bathroom tissue, Pampers or shampoo. "You don't have to be a biker to participate," Weinbrecht said.
    There are three ABATE chapters in addition to the one in Rio Rancho: a Mountain Chapter, a Tularosa Basin chapter and an Albuquerque chapter. Members of the Rio Rancho group are from throughout Sandoval County, Dawn Raia, one of the ride's organizers.
    "A handful (of bikers) got together and collected some toys and food and then delivered them to local needy families," Raia said.
    "Over the years, we've grown. We get sponsors and supporters to help us."
    This year, ride organizers have 22 sponsors who have donated $200 or more, 12 who have donated from $100 to $199, seven who have donated from $50 to $99, and 15 who have given their support in various other ways. A number of the sponsors are motorcycle shops, some are graphics, mechanical and home repair businesses. There are eateries, newspapers, radio stations, a rock band and a tattoo parlor. And, there are the community police departments and the county sheriffs' departments that help with the ride.
    "They're always very helpful, (they) escort us. We can block traffic for 20 minutes easily with the bike procession, it's miles long," Raia said.
    The cyclists collect toys, nonperishable food and other items, then distribute them to those who have none.
    Each year, they select six needy families and give them food boxes and toys for the children.
    "Then we help Haven House (a shelter for victims of domestic violence)," Raia said. "This year, they need personal hygiene products. In the past we've given them cribs or car seats, things like that. We also help Rio Rancho Independence High School (an alternative high school). Their needs vary. This year, they need a refrigerator, twin-sized comforters, baby dolls and carriages.
    "Whatever food is left we give to the St. Felix Pantry (a nonprofit charitable organization run by the Felician-Franciscan Sisters in Rio Rancho). We collect stuffed animals to give to the Rio Rancho Department of Public Safety, the Corrales Police Department, the Bernalillo Police Department and the Sandoval County Sheriff's Department to keep in patrol cars and use to comfort children in emergency situations."
    After the Toy Run, ABATE also gives toys to the Italian American Association for its annual party for underprivileged kids.
    "We have hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and soda for about 120 to 130 kids," said Sal Tortorici, president of the Italian American Association, "and Santa Claus is here. We select the kids through the elementary school counselors, because they know who the needy kids are."
    "Italian American club members usually buy gifts for the older kids," he added, "Walkmans, CD players, things like that. We try to make sure each kid gets at least one toy. Last year, we gave away 14 bikes, all sizes of bikes, to those kids."
    Tortorici said there will be large trailers outside the Italian American Association so people can drop off donations. Crossroads Cycles is another drop-off site.
    "There are drop-off sites all around town," Raia said.
    The group also accepts checks to help pay for food and toys.
    Checks can be mailed to: The Rio Rancho Toy Run, P.O. Box 15064, Rio Rancho, NM 87174-0064.