This was our 7th Annual Toy Run to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.  Code 3 Collectibles,  Funrise Toy Corporation and Ghost-Rider have organized the Toy Run from our first event in 1996. This year our ride began Sunday, December 8th, in the parking lot of Funrise Toy,  6115 Variel Avenue, Woodland Hills.  All riders and participants brought a new unwrapped toy for a child in the hospital. They were greeted with a registration area that handed our free T-shirts to the first 300 riders.  With riders starting to line up at 7:15, those 300 shirts went very fast.  Without having an official ride count (yet)... we can safely say that we had over 1200 participants.   Before the actual caravan started everyone was treated with Krispy Kreme Donuts, Starbucks Coffee and Western Bagels, while they listened to live music by "The Line Up".  The Line Up is a group of Simi Valley Police Officers that played a variety of music that had everyone rockin'.  Radio personality, Charlie Tuna, with his familiar voice, helped with announcing and the free raffle that included facials, massages, Laker tickets and toys from Funrise and Code 3.  Councilman Zine has attended our event in the past and he and his assistant, Janice have helped with details to make our event come together.

The ride started promptly at 10:30 and caravanned  25 miles, escorted by the LAPD/Los Angeles Police Motorcycle Unit and Councilman, Dennis Zine, Eastbound on Ventura Boulevard to Sunset Boulevard.  We were again welcomed on Ventura Boulevard by the local Fire Stations (Canoga Park Station 73 & Tarzana Station 93) with a bridge of ladder fire trucks and a huge American Flag.  Just about when we thought our ride couldn't get any more exciting... a hummmm of helicopters over powered the rumble of motorcycles.  The City flew 2 LAFD HELICOPTERS with sirens directly over us. The two birds swooped directly over our riders and fire trucks, when they got to the end of the over mile long parade, they spun a U-turn and buzzed us again.  It was truly amazing.  Over 40 Crown Firecoach Enthusiasts joined in the parade to bring up the rear with lights, sirens and air horns, stating our enthusiasm. People were waving, honking and cheering from their businesses, restaurants, vehicles and along the streets all along our route. 

Our over an hour ride arrived at the Children's Hospital just after noon.  The kids excitement and smiles at the sight of all the motorcycles and all the emergency vehicles with lights and sirens going will make our holiday season even more special than ever.  The riders parked and entered the lobby that was arranged for the kids to stop at 3 stations (Santa with toys, goodie bags and Code 3 motorcycle photo booth).   Our Santa (Leeton Lee) and Mrs. Claus had a long line of children who's faces lit up when they saw the huge area of toys displayed (it looked like Toys R Us).  One father said his teenage son, Nick Hayes, really loves Harley Davidson's and wheeled him from his hospital bed out to the parking lot to see the bikes up close.  He even sat in his wheel chair next to the Code 3 bike (our Toy Run logo bike, owned by Arnie of Funrise and customized by Ghost-Rider) and had his picture taken.  You could see the joy on his face.   Funrise Toy Corp. donated a container, with  $ 100,000.00 of new toys delivered by a 40' big rig truck, each year that joins our caravan.  Each year we are the single largest donation to Children's Hospital and due to Arnie and his generosity and helped by the riders of our event.

 Lunch was served by In N Our Burger (they even grilled the buns for us).  The Hospital also provided cookies, drinks and 2 large cakes with motorcycle decorations.  We played great music and enjoyed the great weather of Southern California.  Newspaper and television media were filming, taping, interviewing and taking photos from every angle. 

This event is a way of bringing joy to a child that cant be home for the holidays.  Anyone who has participated in our event will tell you, it is one not to miss. 

Check out all of Code 3 Collectibles at their web site www.code3.net   
and learn more about their donations and support of the September 11th attack on the United States.