Hello Everyone... We have many new likes on our page, and I thought it would be fitting to Share a some of the History behind this amazing organization that I am so proud to represent. Its a bit of a read, but worth it. So kick back and read for a moment...Thanks so Much Tonya... Written By Robert F. Laurin / Sleepy It all started on a cold evening in Sunday December 1982, Jim Harmon, I and a dozen other motorcycle riders had just returned from The Modified Motorcycle Association’s Toy Run in Los Angeles which was held on the first Sunday in December. We had left early that morning We were all layered up and leathered up for the cold ride south on Interstate 5 over the Grapevine to Griffith Park. When we pulled into the park at 10:00 am it was wall to wall motorcyclist. It was warm in L.A. and we were shedding clothing as we waited. At noon the M.M.A. started heading everyone to Pasadena City Hall. I hear it took almost 3 hours to empty the park there was so many bikes. We made our donations and I said our goodbyes to all the folks we knew in L.A. and we headed north on Interstate 5 back over the Grapevine to Bakersfield. We stopped in Castaic to bundle back up and crested the summit just before sunset. As we hit Bakersfield some of the riders peeled off heading home. At that time I lived a few houses over from Jim & Debbie as did Lillard, Toney, Cole and a few other riders. So we stopped at Jim & Debbie’s house to warm up before we had to say our goodbyes. It was during this time that Jim and I were out in his garage and Jim asked the question. Why couldn’t we hold a Bakersfield Toy Run to benefit the Salvation Army of Kern County? My only concern was the manpower required to put it together and pull it off. Jim’s response was that if we got all the motorcycle clubs, groups, and associations working together to pull this off we would have the manpower to do the event. I agreed with Jim and we decided to approach the Motorcycle Clubs, Groups and Associations in Bakersfield. The first group we contacted was The Gold Wing Road Riders Association, They liked the Idea and we agreed to hold a meeting at Jim’s House in February 1983. We then contacted the Condors M.C. The Rising Sun M.C. The Harley Full Dresser Association, W.R.I.S.T (We Ride In Spare Time) The Knight’s M.C., The Iron Horseman M.C. and a few other clubs whose names escape me at this time. They all liked the Idea and agreed to meet at Jim’s house. At the February 1983 meeting at Jim & Debbie’s house Jim & I laid out what we had planned and it was determined that we needed to have a spokesman and set up a committee. Jim was elected the first President and I was chosen as Vice President. Since we had no start up money it was agreed that each group would chip in $25 each to help pay for the flyers. It was also agreed to make the donation to the Salvation Army of Kern County. Jim had spoken to Pat Ryan of Ryan’s motorcycle then located at the traffic circle to host the start of the run and purchase the Donut’s. John Ramirez of the Condor’s M.C. contacted the American Legion on F Street and they agreed to host the party after the run and supply us with a free shredded beef lunch. It was also decided to hold the Bakersfield Toy Run on the 2nd Sunday in December so as not to conflict with the L.A. Toy Run which was on the 1st Sunday in December. The first Bakersfield Toy Run was attended by approximately 50 motorcyclists and we made enough money to make our first cash donation to the Salvation Army of Kern County and to set aside enough money to put on the Bakersfield Toy Run next year. Through the years as the Bakersfield Toy Run Grew the start location was changed to different Motorcycle shops in Bakersfield by drawing names out of a hat until it was so large we moved it to Beech Park. The Bakersfield Toy Run Party change locations from The American Legion on F Street to The American Legion on Union Ave, to the Cadillac Ranch near Mesa Marin, to the Basque Club on Union Ave. As our attendance grew the only place big enough to hold this event was The Kern County Fairgrounds, were we have grown from one building to two buildings to the whole Kern County Fairgrounds. Jim remained the President of the Bakersfield Toy Run for 8 years when he had to step down to handle some personal issues. Although Jim and Debbie were not involved thru this time they still attended every Toy Run and was always considered the founder of the Bakersfield Toy Run. I was elected President in 1990 thru 1995 and after that it went to different presidents thru 1996, 1997, and 1998. In 1999 I was again elected President until 2003. In 2002 I asked Jim & Debbie to once again become involved as we celebrated out 20 year anniversary of the Bakersfield Toy Run. In 2003 I had to step down from the Bakersfield Toy Run as well as being Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Modified Motorcycle Association due to some personal issues. So Jim was elected President after Bonnie’s sudden death and Jim held that position until the untimely death of both Jim & Debbie last September. One of the wonderful things about Jim being elected is you got two for one. Jim and Debbie were a team and always worked together on the Bakersfield Toy Run. They were together in life as they are together in Heaven. I had given Debbie a photo album of our first Bakersfield Toy Run in 2009 for the 25th Annual Bakersfield Toy Run but with their passing it was at their house and I am not sure who has it at this time. However this is my best recollection of the events but you may want to verify some of the dates with some of the other long time Bakersfield Toy Run Committee members such as Godfather, John Mason or John Ramirez, Bob Atkinson of the Salvation Army and others. Robert “Sleepy” Laurin Co-Founder - Bakersfield Toy Run Modified Motorcycle Association of California (MMA) – Representative
Posted on: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 19:55:52 +0000
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