Motorcycle groups fill Santa's sleigh twice to help Wayne County kids

Peter Becker, Tri-County Independent
·2 min read

Area motorcycle enthusiasts took to the road in Wayne County this past fall, donating toys for a brighter Christmas season for local children in need.

The annual Fill The Sleigh Motorcycle Run was highly successful, said Diane Helferich, Harley Riders/H.O.G. Motorcycle Club treasurer. The toys went to the Wayne County Office of Behavioral and Developmental Program and Early Intervention.

The sleigh remained at Baer Sport Center Inc. until the week before Christmas. So many people donated toys that it filled the sleigh twice. Helfrich said it took a couple pickup truck loads to deliver them all.

From left at Baer Sport Center, Honesdale, are Mandy Altemier and Sarah Hopkins from the Wayne County Office of Behavioral and Developmental Program and Early Intervention accepting the toys from the annual Fill The Sleigh Motorcycle Run; Damian Gregg the ride organizer; and Diane Helferich, HHR/HOG treasurer.
From left at Baer Sport Center, Honesdale, are Mandy Altemier and Sarah Hopkins from the Wayne County Office of Behavioral and Developmental Program and Early Intervention accepting the toys from the annual Fill The Sleigh Motorcycle Run; Damian Gregg the ride organizer; and Diane Helferich, HHR/HOG treasurer.

"Such a wonderful community we live in, so many are willing to give their all for the kids," Helfrich said.

The event was held on Sept. 24, 2023, led by Damian and Caressa Gregg and their granddaughter, Paityn Dupree. The entrance fee for the Fill The Sleigh Motorcycle Run was $20 cash or a new, unwrapped toy.

Helfrich said that participants on the cold, rainy day included members of the Honesdale Harley Riders/H.O.G. Motorcycle Club, Bikers for Justice, Veterans Motorcycle Club, Christian Motorcyclist Association and other motorcyclists eager to help out a great cause.

The run started at Baer Sport Center outside Honesdale and ended at Northern Wayne Fire Company hall in Lakewood, where Joe and Hope Buchanan of Joe’s Auto Central provided a spaghetti dinner. Jamie Rutherford and Ekat Pareyra provided music.

These are a sampling of the toys donated for Wayne County Office of Behavioral and Developmental Program and Early Intervention, from the annual Fill The Sleigh Motorcycle Run at Baer Sport Center, Honesdale.
These are a sampling of the toys donated for Wayne County Office of Behavioral and Developmental Program and Early Intervention, from the annual Fill The Sleigh Motorcycle Run at Baer Sport Center, Honesdale.

"Thanks go to Beast of Burden, Dave Figura, Tammy Gray, and those who helped serve the meal and provided silent auction items," Helfrich said. "Thank you to the community for all of your support."

During the year, motorcycle club members participated in local parades with the sleigh and Santa.

The next Fill The Sleigh Motorcycle Run is scheduled for Sept. 22, 2024.

Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Motorcyclists fill Santa's sleigh with toys at Baer Sport Center