Giving the Gift of Christmas to Local Families in Need

On Saturday, hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts, comprised of motorcycle club members from Alameda County will once again bring the spirit and joy of Christmas to hundreds of family members in need.

The United Motorcycle Clubs of Alameda County, representing over 60 clubs, working with the League of Volunteers (LOV) in association with Diversified Family Services will be, for the 4th straight year, presenting its annual Toy Drive to support LOV’s Adopt-A-Family pro- gram.

In 2012, 197 children and 112 adults had a very special Christmas to remember with over 500 toys given along with food baskets, other gifts and essential living items for the holidays. These families represented those in need from shelters, private homes, low income, the homeless, the Fremont Family Resource Center, Fremont Healthy Start and Fremont’s Unified School District Social Services.

Over 500 motorcycles led by Santa Claus rolled up to LOV’s Community Service Center to the delight of all the sponsored families. The children, after a visit with Santa, were accompanied by a motorcycle club member to a large decorated room filled with toys thanks to the many individual and corporate sponsor donations. Each child was able to pick out their own gift. Families who did not get adopted were brought to LOV’s special holiday room where they were able to Christmas shop for the children.

This year, we anticipate 500 to 700 riders and participants. In addition to meeting all the families, passing out presents and good cheer and presenting all the cash donations to LOV, we plan a traditional Christmas dinner in which all the participants and families sit down together as a com- munity to celebrate the spirit of Christmas with one another.

The 2013 Toy Drive/Run will start at 10:00 a.m. at Not Yo’ Momma’s Upholstery Shop at 1980 National Avenue, Suite A, Hayward where the motorcycle riders will be staged and toys and donations collected. The requested donation is $10 and a new unwrapped toy per attendee. The pack will then leave at noon to meet with LOV and the families at the Cedar Boulevard Neighborhood Church at 38325 Cedar Avenue, Newark. Dinner will be ready at 1:30 p.m.

Please come join the festivities and be part of this very special community program on Saturday. It is truly a unique and magical event guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit. And don’t forget to bring a camera. The photo opportunities are not to be missed.