20th annual Motorcyclist for Kids Toy Ride

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Hundreds of bikers gathered at the Colony Square Mall Saturday for the 20th annual Motorcyclists for Kids Toy Ride.

For two decades, Rushing Wind Biker Church has held the annual toy ride to benefit The Salvation Army. George Bates from The Salvation Army said he is blown away by turnout.

“This is great,” The Salvation Army, Envoy, George Bates said. “We actually had meeting throughout the year for this event and we prayed for good weather. It’s like the lord has blessed us. It’s a great day.”

Bates said this is his 3th toy ride, and this is the largest turn out he’s ever seen. The ride started at the mall and concluded at The Salvation Army on Putnam Avenue.

“We really wanted to see a good turn out and we’ve been blessed. We’ve had a lot of bikers from all over. Different biking clubs and they just represent the community well. They are a great bunch of people. We appreciate them,” Bates said.

Last year more than 300 bikers participated in the toy ride. This year’s toy ride drew in an even bigger crowd.