Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sept 05/01) - Like misfit Santa Clause elves discarding green polyester coats and cone caps to don black leather vests, bandannas and blue jeans, Harleys Toy Run riders roared down the asphalt arteries of Yellowknife on a mission of plush teddy bears and Tonka trucks.

A group of Yellowknife bikers, with cuddly dolls strapped to the front of their Harley hogs, toured the city for the eighth annual Harleys Toy Run. Riders were out cruising to raise money and toys for all those kids in the city who don't have very much.

"We want to raise awareness that there are needy children in the city," said Harleys' owner, Fred Squires, who, along with his wife and partner Kelly, organized the Toy Run.

On Saturday, a row of hogs lined the front of Harleys Hard Rock Saloon ablaze in the afternoon glare. Behind all that chrome rose a huge pile of toys against the wall of the bar.

According to Fred, last year, the event raised over $2,100 and 15 garbage bags filled with toys.

This year Squires expected to raise more than $1,500. The money will given to the pediatrics ward at Stanton Regional Hospital and the toys will be donated to the Yellowknife Women's Shelter.

"We'll do anything for the kids," said rider Chris Flannagan.

Art Young has ridden in the toy run for five years.

"We're doing something good. Now kids will have toys," said Young.

The doll-toting bikers rumbled from the saloon down Franklin Ave. to Old Town, looping around Pilot's Monument and up through Kam Lake Rd. The riders then headed up toward the Yellowknife River for some open road.

The Harleys Toy Run started at 2 p.m. and ended around six that evening.

Squires said Yellowknifers have been generous this year, and that their generosity was expressed in many ways.

"This guy who looked down on his luck came over and thanked us for what we did," said Squires.

"Even that is something. It doesn't all have to be monetary."