Motorcycle club sponsors 24th annual Toy Run

RINGGOLD — Bikers sported leather and revved up their hogs for a good cause Saturday at the Eagles Lodge on U.S. 58 East.

The Danville chapter of the Scorpions Motorcycle Club held its 24th annual Toy Run, Blood Drive and Bike Show to raise money and toys for Salvation Army.

The event featured bands, a bike show, door prizes, bloodmobile, food vendors and had about 1,000 people show up to pitch in for needy children, said Tim “Stump” Farmer, Danville Scorpions member. The event also included a raffle to win a brand new Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Scorpions members from across the nation — Michigan, Arkansas, Texas, North Carolina and other states — participated, with people dropping by to donate toys, socialize with kindred spirits and listen to music. The lodge donated their building for the event, Farmer said.

The event, which cost $7 to enter, raises about $10,000 per year for the Salvation Army, said Danville Scorpions President Carl Turner. Money also is raised by the bike show, where attendees placed money in a bucket to go the organization.

“We don’t take (any) of this money,” Farmer said Saturday during the event. “It all goes to the Salvation Army.”

Salvation Army Capt. Allen Tanner said the money is used in Danville and Pittsylvania County to give food boxes to poor families and clothing to children under the Angel Tree program. Tanner praised the Scorpions’ efforts.

“They put the awareness out there of the need in the community,” Tanner said.

About 100 children benefit from the toy run per year, Tanner said.

The Scorpions also sponsors the Rusty Beach Memorial scholarship and a roller hockey team every year, Turner said. The organization has raised about $200,000 over the last 24 years for various causes, Turner said.

John Matthews, a former Scorpions member who lives in Danville, attended the toy run to get out and meet folks.

“The people…” Matthews, who donated blood, said when asked why he came. “Bikers are the best people.”

“They’re doing a good thing with this toy run,” he added.

Ray Hamlett, of Chatham, dropped by on his ’96 Wide Glide Harley Davidson.

“I come about every year just to get out and look at the bikes,” Hamlett said.

Farmer said he hopes the next toy run will offer more for attendees.

“Next year … will be bigger and better,” Farmer said. “We can’t do this without the support of the community.”