Video: Bikers Hold 25th Annual Christmas Toy Ride in Tupelo

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – This year marks the 25th anniversary of a special Christmas tradition that benefits some very special children in Tupelo.

They gathered in the parking lot of Tupelo’s Ballard Park. There were unusual motorcycles like this one with a real alligator head seat. A British made Triumph was quite a rare machine and of course there will be plenty of Harleys. Over one hundred cyclists from all over Northeast Mississippi took part in the annual Mingo Toy Run sponsored the Mingo Riders Association. They collected toys to give to children at Faith Haven in Tupelo and Harden House in Fulton, as well children hospitalized at St Jude’s and LeBonheur Children’s Hospital.

“You got a lot of bad looking bikers around here but when they see the kids, you seen them on the side with tears running down their eyes sometimes so it’s good for a lot of disadvantaged children and these children are in these homes for various reasons then we just love to help the children,” says Biker Randy Herrington.

“Most of them were like I was when I was growing up, we didn’t have a lot. And they appreciate what’s going on because they know somebody took the time to do something especially for them,” says Biker Charles Palmer.

They left Ballard park and drove down Main Street all to the way to Grace Memorial Baptist Church in Skyline, where they met some of the children and their sponsors.

“The sad thing is that a lot of the kids that are at our hospital are there for a long time and so they’re there during the holidays so nobody wants to be at the hospital during the holidays so for them to do something and give them a gift to make them feel special on that day is wonderful,” says Kelly Scott, with LeBonheur.

The annual toy run is always a special event but this year the event is even more special because it is the 25th year that they have held it but unfortunately it may be the last.

“Because of so many of the local homes that have closed down. And the homes that we bought toys for kids for so many of them have closed down that they don’t participate anymore so we wanted to make sure we made that 25 mark,” says Richie Jones, President of the Mingo Riders.

“Some children like Hunter Lindsey got to receive their Christmas cheer right on the spot,.

“He was born with Cerebral Palsy and this is just a wonderful event to show these children with disabilities how much they’re loved throughout the community,” says Rhonda Bazzill, whose grandson will benefit from the event.