Toy run's a big hit
Monday, December 17, 2007 5:18 AM PST
By Carrie Pederson
Printable version
E-mail this articleJumbo's Toy Run Christmas party brought smiles and good cheer Sunday morning even though the party's new setting, the Washington National Guard Armory on Vandercook Way in Longview, brought some unexpected challenges.
About 600 children and their parents waited in a line stretching out the door for up to two hours to get presents and to visit Santa Claus.
Inside, pictures of gunmen and targets hung behind Santa (Richard Oxford) as he handed out his piles of red and green gifts.
The party, named in honor of R.A. Long teacher and Harley rider Jim "Jumbo" DeMakos and hosted by local motorcycle organizations since 1984, had traditionally been held at Skate World, which closed in April.
Longtime organizer Debbie Ingram said there was little time Sunday morning to set up the party. By the time volunteers got into the building at 8 a.m., children were already lining up for the party, which started at 9 a.m.
Local bikers clad in leather clustered near the line "trying not to be confused," said Cindy Hardin, a petite woman in a black leather jacket with flowing, gray hair.
The planned sock hop never materialized, but the DJ played Christmas tunes for the patient crowd.
Annette Bardonski and her five children waited an hour and a half to see Santa. It was worth the wait, however, when they opened their new train set, Bratz doll and Candy Land game.
"This is really nice," she said.
Liaisons at Kessler, Northlake, Wallace and Barnes elementary schools invited students with "economic, social or emotional difficulties," said Lila Wasser, an instructional aide at Barnes who coordinates the schools' invitation list.
All siblings are also invited, as well as children from Head Start and children with parents in the National Guard. In all, 800 children were invited this year.
"Who else would do Christmas for this many kids but a bunch of bikers?" Ingram said.
"It looks like they're having a great time out there," said biker "T.C." as he surveyed the crowd behind a pair of sunglasses.
Like his friends, T.C. came to the party in his biker gear -- black leather pants and a black leather vest with a leather jacket stating "Live to Ride, Ride to Live," slung over his shoulder.
In addition to the Southwest Washington Motorcycle and Cowlitz ABATE, a motorcycle rights organization, the Unique Tin car club, private donors and the Kelso School District donated about $3,000 and wrapped gifts for the children.
Melea Killsree, a fifth grader from Barnes Elementary, has attended the party five times. She was pleased with her new Bratz doll, which came with a pet dog and a bath tub for the dog that "shoots out real water," she said.
"I think it's worth the wait," said parent Katie Cobb, as she waited with her young children.
Bikers entertained kids and parents waiting in the cold with verses of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
"The guys outside were giving them coats and sweaters," Hardin said. "Which they may never see again."
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