33rd ABATE of Tulsa Toy Run set to rumble through town Sunday
BY DAVID HARPER World Staff Writer
Saturday, December 08, 2012
12/08/12 at 5:03 AM
Motorcyclists will take to the streets of Tulsa on Sunday afternoon to make the holiday brighter for area children through the donation of thousands of toys.
The ABATE of Tulsa Toy Run will begin at 2 p.m. from the west parking lot at Expo Square and will wind up in the Blue Dome District.
This will be the 33rd edition of the event held by ABATE, a nonprofit organization involved in the promotion of motorcycle rights, awareness and education.
The toy run has become an annual tradition as participants rumble through the streets of Tulsa, many decorating their motorcycles with the items they donate at the ride's end to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.
The 2011 installment featured approximately 6,000 riders, and King said about 34,000 toys were donated. The event even attracts bikers from as far away as New Jersey.
"We've done it for so long now that people just know to be there on the second Sunday of December every year," said Carol King, secretary of the Tulsa chapter of ABATE. "The biker community is the biggest-hearted group of people you'd ever want to meet."
King stressed that participants are asked to park their motorcycles "front tire to curb" when they arrive at the Blue Dome District. She said that is important in order to expedite parking and prevent major traffic back-up.
She said the procession has been known to last anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 1/2 hours.
Police are encouraging motorists who are not participating or observing the event to use alternate routes.
Original Print Headline: Bikers set for 33rd Toy Run
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