LIHU‘E — The showers, lingering since the Thursday deluge, put a damper on needy children’s dreams, Sunday. Toy collections from the annual Keiki Toy Run were down as the morning rains came but the event still drew roughly 100 bikers,
LIHU‘E — The showers, lingering since the Thursday deluge, put a damper on needy children’s dreams, Sunday.
Toy collections from the annual Keiki Toy Run were down as the morning rains came but the event still drew roughly 100 bikers, each showing up with new, unwrapped toys earmarked for needy children.
Karen Ono’s decision was made easier by the weather at the Historic County Building.
“The organizers of the ‘Oma‘o moto-cross asked me to help, but with the rain, mud, and everyone parking at the bottom, it’s going to be a long day up there,” she said. “How much mud can you track from the bottom to the start?”
The Garden Island Moto-Cross, Kaua‘i Moto X Association and the Kaua‘i Motorcycle Riders Association combined their efforts to host a Charity Poker Run benefiting the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, Sunday, where riders and spectators were asked to bring non-perishable food items in lieu of the normal entry fees.
Dai Arnado, coordinator of the keiki toy distribution for the past several years, said they need about 500 toys to take care of children from Lihu‘e to the North Shore this Christmas. Sunday’s drive came up with about 100 new toys.
“We’ve got lists from Child and Family Services, Kapa‘a Elementary School, Hanalei Elementary School, the Kanuikapono charter school, and the YWCA Women’s Shelter,” Arnado said. “We’re still waiting on the list from Lihu‘e Courts.”
Arnado said she’s been working with families and agencies who are unable to fulfill wish lists from The Salvation Army and the Marine Corps Toys for Tots programs. When Russell Haluapo, the organizer for the Toy Run, offered the bikers’ service several years ago, it was like a dream come true.
“We’re so grateful to Russell,” Arnado said. “He’s been able to help make children’s holidays a little brighter on this island.”
Arnado got help from several of Santa’s helpers, including Laura McPeak, Dalilah Osakoda, and Anna Kim of the Kaua‘i Harley-Davidson which provided coffee and morning refreshments for the bikers.
“It’s a real pleasure to work with Dai and Russell,” said McPeak, who has been volunteering for three years to make Christmas brighter for children. “When you deliver the toys and see the children’s faces, it’s really heart-warming and makes this all worthwhile.”
Arnado said Osakoda has also been helping for three years and when everything is done, she’ll get to pick one toy for her efforts.
Kim said motorcycle riders do a lot of good things for the community and Kaua‘i Harley-Davidson is proud to at least provide refreshments for them.
“Bikers around the country, not just here on Kaua‘i, do good things for the community,” Kim said. “We’ll also be using the Kaua‘i Harley-Davidson car to help deliver the toys once everything is separated and arranged.”
Sunday’s itinerary had the bikers leave the Historic County Building, and following a tour through the Lihu‘e Airport, head to Hanalei Bay where they spent the afternoon in fellowship.
