Newspapers / The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, … / Dec. 16, 1993, edition 1 / Page 20
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STAFF PHOTO BY WILUAM MANNING JEROME MUNNA , organizer of the first annual Brunswick County Motorcycle Toy Run, distributes some of the Christmas gifts that were collected for local foster children. Local Bikers Rally To Take Foster Kids On Christmas Shopping Spree BY ERIC CARLSON More than 50 Santa Clauses in black leather jackets rode a herd of thundering "reindeer" into Shallotte Sunday afternoon and made the Christmas season a little brighter for local foster children. It was called the "First Annual Brunswick County Motorcycle Toy Run." And judging from the enthu siasm it generated among the partic ipating motorcyclists, children, so cial workers ? and even by standers ? it won't be the last. More than $2.(KX) in cash and dozens of toys were collected through donations from the riders and contributions from area busi nesses in an event that was hurriedly organized in less than three weeks by Supply sign painter and Harley Davidson rider Jerome Munna. "I am so tickled that so many peo ple showed up on such short notice in that cold weather to help these kids have a better Christmas," Munna said. "I think everybody who took part was touched by the experi ence." A total of 33 motorcycles ? many with passengers ? rumbled into Shallotte to participate in the benefit rally. While most came from Bruns wick County, several of the bikers rode all the way from Little River, Myrtle Beach and Conway, S.C., to take part. Many had flashy, cus tomized Harley-Davidsons. Some cruised in on cushy touring bikes. Others rode standard Japanese mo torcycles. Each participant donated $10 or a toy to join in the run. Most paid an other $8 for a commemorative T shirt. More than 45 area businesses kicked in at least $30 each to have their names printed on the shirt, with all proceeds going to needy children. "Everybody likes an excuse to ride on a nice day. But nobody wants a good excuse to ride when it's 40 degrees outside," Munna said. "I thought some of these folks might want to make a donation and forget the ride, but they all wanted to go. They all wanted to help the kids." Riding two abreast, the long line of bikers braved near-freezing tem peratures on a 65-mile ride from Shallotte to Southport to Bolivia and back to Shallotte. There, they were met by a group of foster parents, children and employees of the Brunswick County Department of Social Services. Each of the children was paired with one of the riders for a shopping trip through the Wal-Mart depart ment store, where each youngster was allowed to spend $100 on any thing he or she wanted. With peals of laughter and shouts of excitement, the children followed their leather-clad chaperones up and down the aisles. Most of them -mmer- , s -> .. - m WHBSi STAFF PHOTO BY ERIC CARLSON PREPARING for a cold ride , motorcyclists Dwayne Smith and Tri nity Harris of Conway, S.C., secure a new soccer ball to their Har ley-Davidson before embarking. The bikers collected more than $2,000 and numerous toys for local foster children. bought toys. Others picked out shoes and clothing. Some of the girls bought dresses and jewelry and per fume. "The store had a special register set aside to give us a discount on everything they picked out," Munna said. "When we got there with the shopping carts, the kids were look ing around wondering, 'Is this really going to happen? Are we really go ing to get out of here with all this?' It was just great!" In all, a dozen foster children went along on the shopping spree. The remainder of the donations were given to DSS for distribution to oth er needy children. Munna said the spirit of giving was contagious. "People in Wal-Mart asked what we were doing. When we told them, an elderly iady came up and handed us $20," he said. "Another man gave S 1 0. A guy in the parking lot pulled up with an electric organ in the back Alice Ts Tfe. Country Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Call us now for holiday party platters for that special home or office party. We feature a great deli! CALL 754-8989 Milliken Shopping Plaza, Hwy 130, nip Holden Beach Road ? Shallotte labod CHIROPRACTI 803-249-9787 3E (Across from Hardees) Hwy. 17, Little River, SC 5NSULTATI0N Golfers & Visitors Welcome ?Handle all Types of Chiropractic Cases ?No Appointments Necessary ?1903 TM? BRUNSWCK BEACON DR. ROBIN LABOD of his truck and asked if we wanted it for the kids. We said, 'Sure,' and put it in with the other donations. "While we were getting ready to go, a lady came in (to Mickie's Doughnuts, starting point for the run) and saw all the commotion. She went out and bought a toy and brought it back!" Overwhelmed by the response, Munna said several of the bikers of fered to help with next year's toy run. There was even talk of organiz ing a mid-summer motorcycle rally and barbecue, both to raise money and to provide a day of fun and games for local foster children. Munna also expressed his appre ciation to all the businesses who helped in the toy run and for the as sistance of the Shallotte Police De partment. the Southport Police De partment, the Brunswick County Sheriff's Department and the N.C. Highway Patrol for providing traffic control at intersections along the way. "It really opened up and warmed a lot of people's hearts," Munna said. "They all got into the spirit of giving. And that's what Christmas is all about." STAFF PHOTO Br ERIC CARLSON IMUlORC YCLIST Keith Klimas of Holden Beach keeps track of the battery needs for two local foster children on a $100 shopping spree. Great Xmas Gift Ideas From U-BREW BEER KITS ? WINE KITS ? u c CORDIAL KITS HOURS: 1207 Hwy. 17 S. Mon.-Fri. 104 North Myrtle Bch. UDS Jour Thur. 1 0-7 "The Purple Building" ,^-a r?rYou^|^ Sat. & Sun. 10-5 Ju>t South of Cowboys HH ES (803)361-0092 -s (Dozon "Last spas; Relax. Bring Your Spa To BioGuard SPA GUARD: Chlorine Concentrate, PH Increaser & PH Decreaaer PROFESSIONAL POOL MAINTENANCE Hwy. 179, Island Village Specialty Shops, Ocean Isle Beach, Behind IGA Bldg. SB 579-8828 OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY 3E Daily Maintenance ? Chemicals ? Accessories & Equipment This weekend the children of our church performed a Christmas play. It reminded me of many things from my youth. I remember my cousin and I finding two brand new bikes one day before Christmas. Of course those bikes were under the Christmas tree Christmas morning. Christmas took on a different meaning after that. And there was a man named Israel who during the holidays would roast oysters for us and I remember the wonderful corn fritters and watermelon rind pickles that my Aunt Catherine I made for those oyster roast. We always went to Grandmothers house for Christmas. I rernember all of those wonderful meals, the presents piled under the tree, reaching the age when I no longer had to pass out the gifts, and playing touch football with my cousins on the front lawn. I also remember a Christmas holiday when everything wasnt so Innocent and wonderful. I remember how a kind word and a gentle touch, from someone I hardly knew, helped me to have a happier Holiday. OIL OF OLAY Asst. Beauty Fluid 5.99 MOTRIN IB Tablets or Capteta. 100ct. 6.99 HEAD & SHOULDERS SHAMPOO Assorted. 15 ox. 3.69 CHAPSTICK Assorted, .15 oz. 690 Med. Stick .15 oz 79C Plua Reg. or Cherry, .35 oz .99< Med. Tub* or Jer . .35 oz 1.09 ? FEMCARE B HmCare Insert a. 7 ct., or Cream. 45 gm . 8.69 754-6563 NCmct Tfttod AMtoacun^aricmti^onacuconM Ms catnt. Km Eial^tte.N.C,
The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, N.C.)
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Dec. 16, 1993, edition 1
20
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