It’s that time of the year! Attached is the 21st Annual Toy Drive and Ride for CHOC Children’s information flyer. You can click on the “Click Here to Register” link on the flyer or click on the on the CHOC count down banner on the top left side of the OCHOG.org website to pre-register for the toy ride to CHOC hospital on December 20, 2015.
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More Pics, A Video, And Publicity On CHOC Toy Ride
CBS Los Angeles has a nice video and write-up of our 20th Annual CHOC Toy Ride. It is awesome to give toys to these kids during this time of the year, and it is even more awesome to realize we gave so many toys that it allows the staff at CHOC to pass out toys throughout the year to help make the kid’s stay a bit more bearable.
Our very own Rob Vandal put together a really nice video of the bikes coming across the front entrance to the hospital, shown below. It really puts you in the Christmas spirit.
In addition to the pictures posted Sunday, there are even more pics of the CHOC event at the smugmug site. Enjoy!
Pics From 20th Annual CHOC Toy Drive
Here are some of the pics from the event this morning, along with Santa, his sleigh (also known as a Mini Cooper named Victor), and a few pics of about 20-25 volunteers that took almost half an hour to unload all of the toys – that is how many there were thanks to your generous donations.
20th Annual Toy Drive And Ride For CHOC Children’s Hospital
Coming up soon is the 20th annual ride to CHOC Hospital. The registration is at the Orange County Harley-Davidson dealership at 8am on Sunday, December 21. The ride begins at 9am. Show up early. We are expecting over 1,000 riders, spectators, and volunteers! You can see more info in the flyer. Email it to friends that ride or print it off and pass it around. The flyer also has info if you want to become a sponsor and what the various levels of donations give you.
If you want to take a look at last year’s event, head over to this gallery.
Remembering Mike Colwell: Friend, Santa, CHOC Toy Ride Founder
Celebration of Life for Mike Colwell better known as Santa and Founder of the CHOC Toy Ride on March 15th, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the Terranova Church in Irvine.
It is with great sadness that we learned of the recent passing of Mike Colwell, our beloved Santa. Mike was the founder and inspiration for the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Toy Ride. Many years ago, Santa and a few of his biker buddies (perhaps his elves) got together, purchased some toys, and on Christmas Eve delivered those toys to CHOC for the children that were hospitalized at Christmas time. Over the years the ride continued to grow along with the amount of toys donated.
In 2007, the ride reached its peak with the number of bikes exceeding 1,800 and providing enough toys so CHOC can give toys to the kids all year long. In 2009 the ride had to be placed on hold due to construction of the hospital and is the only reason the ride did not continue to grow. That didn’t stop OCHOG from continuing the toy drive and from 2009 to 2012 the toys were still donated to CHOC. In 2013, the ride began again, and with the support of CHOC we are ensured that Mike’s legacy of giving to the children at CHOC will continue! Those who say that there is no Santa Claus did not know Mike Colwell!
A celebration of life service will be held in his honor on Saturday, March 15, 2014, at 11:00 AM. There will be a short ride from the Orange County Harley-Davidson Dealership to the Terranova Church, located at 7 Whatney, Irvine, CA 92618. If you plan to ride to the ceremony, please arrive at the dealer no later than 9:30 AM. All Chapter members are welcome to attend.