MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The throaty rumble of more than 130 motorcycles paraded through the air station with toys fastened to their storage racks to be delivered at the 60th annual Toys for Tots campaign kickoff at the Hornet’s Nest here Sunday morning.
The chorus of choppers sounded in lieu of Santa’s sleigh bells this Christmas season for needy children across the Pacific, to whom the gifts will be donated.
The worldwide event, conducted by Marines, collects and distributes donated toys in an effort to deliver a message of hope to needy children, according the Toys for Tots Web site. Sgt. Maj. Randolph L. Mitchell, station sergeant major, said that the Iwakuni community greatly benefits from the event in that friendships are created not only through the spirit of giving, but through the local bike-riding population.
“There is not a more fitting event for the American and Japanese biker communities to get together than to show their support for the needy children in the area,” said Mitchell, a Rochester, N.Y., native. “We have bikers that have traveled here from as far as Osaka just for this event. This year we’re fortunate enough to have a beautiful sunny day, so we’re seeing the largest turnout for this event in Iwakuni history.”
Sunday’s crowd ballooned to nearly 200 supporters, donating approximately 150 individual toys, both surpassing the charity drives in recent years. Mike K. Gingles, president of the Iwakuni Biker’s Club and native of Shreveport, La., said it took quite a bit of coordination to rally the large crew onto the air station, but the club’s efforts were for a worthy cause.
“Whatever we can do to bring Christmas to these children in need, we’re going to,” said Gingles. “The more bikers we can gather here, the more toys we’re going to obtain. This event not only shows the local community that we care about their children, it’s also become an annual opportunity for bikers to get together and do what all bikers love to do: ride.”
One participant, Clinton J. Hurda, Marine Corps Community Services outdoor recreation manager and native of Mineral Point, Wis., said he saw the parade of motorcycles ride by from inside his office window, grabbed his gift and gear, and joined in the procession.
“Every biker speaks ‘bike language,’ you could say,” said Hurda. “Whenever you see an opportunity to get together and share that passion for biking, you’re going to see a lot of us hop on for the ride.”
Participants have a passion for biking that has brought them back for the seventh year in the club’s history. By investing in a Christmas toy for a child, they’re also investing in their community, according to Hurda.
“This community obviously benefits from this event,” Hurda said. “There’s no doubt that I’m going to see all these faces, and probably more come next year.”
The gifts collected here will be donated to local orphanages in Iwakuni City and also orphanages in surrounding countries as far as Thailand and South Korea, a distribution opportunity exclusive to Iwakuni, according to Mitchell.
Campaign contributions are still highly encouraged. Families are invited to deliver their gifts to donation box locations including the first floor of Building One, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 headquarters Building 128, Hornet’s Nest, Marine Lounge and the Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) entrance. Marines wearing the dress blue uniform will be greeting gift givers at the MCX entrance Friday through Sunday, this weekend and the next.
The gifts donated are scheduled to be wrapped by volunteers Dec. 13 and 14 at the Hornet’s Nest. On Dec. 15, a portion of the gifts are scheduled to be delivered to the Garden of Light Orphanage in Iwakuni City. For information on how to participate in the gift wrapping or delivery events, contact the Hornet’s Nest by calling 253-3585.