Blue Knights Chapter 4 President Phil DuBois, left, and his fellow clubmembers brought gifts and appetites to last Saturday’s event. The Blue Knights consist of retired law enforcement officers. Peter Day / The Leader
-------------------
By PETER DAY
SENIOR REPORTER
The Harleys roared as they poured into the Pioneer Park parking lot Saturday.
“I cry everytime I know those kids will have toys,” said longtime Roadrunner Jo Richards, her eyes welling up.
The group coming into the parking lot, which was manned by Roadrunners volunteer Herald Kessey, was a motorcycle club from Westminster. The riders have been coming to Richards’ event for decades.
Saturday’s event was the 20th annual Lucerne Valley Biker’s Toy Run.
Dennis Jeroux, a member of the Victor Valley Harley Owners Group, said he always looks forward to his group’s annual ride to Lucerne Valley
“We like to do toy runs,”Jeroux said. “We like to see the toys stay in the area.”
The Blue Knights, a group of mostly retired law enforcement officers, also participated in the event.
“It makes you feel so good,” said Phil DuBois, president of the Blue Knights’ Chapter 4, which has riders from San Bernardino, the High Desert, San Diego and beyond.
A host of Roadrunners volunteered to make the event go smoothly, and honorary Roadrunners Chuck Bell and Jerry Byars flipped burgers and turned hot dogs.
Honorary Mayor Lyle Thomas enjoyed the pleasant fall day while eating a plateful of barbecue and goodies. Former Honorary Mayor Woody Hart and his wife Pam helped with the food.
First Mountain Bank in Lucerne Valley is matching any monetary donations up to a total of $1,000.
This year, the Lucerne Valley toy run had ample competition, according to Richards. An Apple Valley club that has come to Lucerne Valley many times had its annual picnic, and several other events “down the hill” took riders away.
But that didn’t quell Richards’ spirit.
“This is my favorite event,” she said.