Tantramar Toy Run ready to roll

SACKVILLE - Mike Purdy has been organizing the Tantramar Toy Run for 19 years now and although he admits the annual event takes up a lot of his time and energy every summer, he says it's always worth every minute.

"It's a lot of work, no question about it. But when you pull into McDonald's and you see all the bikes sitting there and all the bikes rolling in, it just makes it all worth it," he says.

Purdy says the real highlight for him is when he helps deliver the toys to groups such as Sackville's Christmas Cheer, Dorchester's Community Volunteer Association, Port Elgin's District Voluntary Action Group, Amherst's Christmas for Kids Campaign, and Moncton Headstart.

"You get to see the kids there that are in these programs…and that really makes it all worth it. You actually know the money is going where it's supposed to be going."

He says he may complain at times about all the work that goes into the planning of this ever-growing popular event, but he says he doesn't plan on handing over the reins anytime soon.

"I'll never stop it as long as I can keep going. I'm going to do it for as long as I can," says the Dorchester resident.

It is anticipated hundreds of motorcyclists are expected to swing through Sackville this weekend to support the local Toy Run, an event that helps make Christmas mornings 'merrier' for a number of local children and helps ease the financial burden for families who have kids with serious illnesses.

The hundreds of bikers and other participants will contribute cash or toys during Saturday's 19th annual Tantramar Toys for Tots Motorcycle Run, which gets under way at 2 p.m. from the McDonald's parking lot in Sackville.

Purdy says the organizers are hoping to bring in Production X, an extreme motorcycle stunt team based out of Moncton, to put on a performance for the crowd.

Tickets for Minglewood's concert are on sale at Tidewater Books and Strike 2 bar in Sackville, Pugsley's in Amherst, Frank's in Moncton, and the Right Stop and Scotty's Inconvenience in Dorchester

For more information or to become a sponsor for the Toy Run, contact Mike Purdy at 506- 379-6243 or 536-7006.