Participants in a Kindersley Legion-organized toy run and poker rally ride down Main Street in a parade on Sept. 2. In most cases, they rode with the toys they were donating to the West Central Crisis and Family Support Centre

Kenneth Brown
of The Clarion

The sound of about 30 motorcycles rolling down Main Street turned several people’s heads on Saturday as the group of riders went out on a toy run and poker rally.

Riders and their motorcycles gathered at the Kindersley Legion Hall on Sept. 2 for the toy run and poker rally, an event organized by a member of the Kindersley Legion. Several groups benefitted from the event held to round up toys for a local Christmas hamper program.

The riders brought new, unwrapped toys to donate to the West Central Crisis and Family Support Centre. The centre provides the toys for the annual Christmas hamper program run by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

At noon, the riders left the Legion Hall and a member of the Kindersley RCMP escorted the motorcycles out of town. The riders were paraded down Main Street with their toys before hitting the highway for a poker rally.

The rally made stops in Eston, Elrose and Rosetown before returning to Kindersley. The riders were greeted in each locations by members of the local Legion branches. The route for the poker rally was about 220 km long.

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Everyone enjoyed a barbecue supper at the hall in Kindersley after riders returned from the poker rally. People paid $20 for a poker hand and supper. Riders drew cards at each stop and riders joining at one of the three stops drew extra cards when they arrived in Kindersley to complete their hands.

Members of the Canadian Legion of Riders, a charitable group that supports veterans, made the trip from North Battleford and the group made two donations. The group donated $1,000 to the Kindersley Legion and $500 to the 365 Lloyd “Sparky” Ament Air Cadet Squadron.

Bill Bishop, representative of the Canadian Legion of Riders, said the toy run and poker rally was posted on the group’s website by a local member, so it was how he found out. While he didn’t go out on the rally, he made the donations.

“We thought it would be a great day to come down and make a donation to the Legion, and see some bikes and maybe go for a ride,” Bishop, a Legion member, said. He made the trip to Kindersley on his way to Saskatoon and said it’s a real honour for him and the group’s members to help veterans.

The riders all had their reasons for attending the toy run and poker rally. Shane Georget, a Kindersley resident, said he was happy to support the event and it was important for him because he enjoys riding and it’s for a great cause.

“It’s for the kids,” he said before heading out on the rally, recognizing it was a good reason to enjoy the afternoon on his bike. “It’s probably going to be one of my last rides of the year, so why not on a beautiful day like this?”

Misty Leismeister, president of the crisis centre’s board of directors, said the support will help kick-start the centre’s seasonal campaigns. The centre provides toys for the CMHA’s hamper program and the organization runs an annual Santa’s Hut program.

She noted that events like the toy run and poker rally also help to raise awareness for the organization and its programming. Leismeister said it was impressive to see the 30 motorcycles leave the hall. The toys will help out at Christmas time, so the centre is thankful for the support.

“It’s awesome to know that the community and surrounding communities can pull together like this to support another organization,” she said, adding that the toys will find good homes with children from families in need. “It’s an amazing feeling.”

Al Drozd, who became a member of the Kindersley Legion this year, organized the poker rally. In an interview on Monday, he said the toy run and poker rally was an awesome event and it could become an annual fundraiser.

He said it was nice of neighbouring Legions to help, and the Eston Legion even made a $200 donation to the crisis centre. He thanked Gary Babcock of Kindersley, who went on the ride and helped with the poker rally. Babcock is not a Legion member but enjoys riding, Drozd said.

He noted that he had a lot of help with the event and he wanted to thank everyone who pitched in to make it big a success. Local Legion members, along with members in Eston, Elrose and Rosetown, were a big help. He said the main purpose of the event was to round up toys for the crisis centre and “lots of toys” were donated. But he believes the riders also had a great time cruising down the highway together.

“I think they really enjoyed themselves because when you’re riding your bike, you always enjoy yourself,” said Drozd, who is an avid rider. He said the whole day went well and the barbecue supper after the rally was a big hit with participants.

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