For the kids at Elizabeth Sanders Home in Oiso, Kanagawa Prefecture, Dec. 13 was a day they won't forget anytime soon. On that Sunday nearly 80 motorcycles came rolling into their compound carrying more than 150 presents.
An idea born in America, charity toy runs are a popular way for motorcyclists in Western countries to give something back to their communities in the form of helping underprivileged children, usually orphans. Riders, often dressed up in Christmas costumes, bungee the toys they've bought to their motorcycles and ride to an orphanage. There they greet the children and pass on the toys, which are usually given to the children on Christmas Day.
The 2009 Tokyo Toy Run was the brainchild of John Gavin, an avid motorcyclist and the owner/administrator of Gaijinriders.com, a popular Internet forum for foreign motorcyclists in Japan. Having often taken part in toy runs in his native Australia, Gavin wants to begin a similar tradition here. "Participating in Toy Runs back in Oz was one of the highlights of riding back there. I hope it can become an annual event here," says Gavin.