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Letter to the editor

Hogs for holidays

For two decades, the toy run has been all about giving to kids.

By DEMORRIS A. LEE, Times Staff Writer
Published December 3, 2007

Joy and Don Martodam of Holly, Minn., wave to some of the bikers as they drive west on 2nd Ave. North away from the Pier. To participate in the toy run, riders had bring a unwrapped toy or $10 donation to Jim's Harley Davidson, the starting place of the ride.
	[James Borchuck | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [James Borchuck | Times] 1,737 area riders registered for the 20th Annual Jim Rosenkrans Memorial Toy Run which started at Jim's Harley-Davidson of St. Petersburg and made it's way down 2nd Ave. North, and around the Pier. 1,162 bikes of all kinds were used and even two mopeds were spotted in the group.

ST. PETERSBURG -- Kimberly Brewer had just taken her father home from his Thanksgiving visit when she heard that there was going to be a parade of hogs coming through.

So instead of hitting I-275 South and heading back to Bradenton on Sunday, she parked at the corner of 54th Avenue N and Haines Road and pulled out two lawn chairs for her daughters.

"I love motorcycles," Brewer said, excited as she pulled the chairs from her trunk. "I used to work at a plant that made Harley-Davidson parts and ever since then, I've loved them. I like to ride, too."

It would be the perfect spot for Brewer and her daughters age 8, 3, and 1. As the 1,200 motorcyclists who took part in the 20th Annual Jim Rosenkrans Memorial Toy Run turned the corner, they threw candy, stuffed animals and multicolored beads. It would be more candy than 8-year-old Aslene Brewer's little plastic bag could carry.

While the Hogsters spread the holiday cheer early for the Brewers, the hourlong ride through St. Petersburg will plant the same big grins on the faces of many children this season.

Each year, bikers either donate a toy, pay $10 or bring canned goods to ride in the event. This year, 1,800 people showed up, raising $13,000 and bringing 1,300 toys. In addition, donations from Jim's Harley-Davidson's customers resulted in 60 brand new bicycles.

"We want to do anything we can to help kids because that's what it's all about," said Jamilou Rosenkrans, the owner of Jim's Harley-Davidson. and the run's organizer. "Having been a teacher and seeing what these kids need and with today's economy, its going to be worse for them. "

Rosenkrans' eyes watered as she talked about the possibility of a child being without gifts for the holidays. She and her husband Jim started the toy-gathering ride in 1979.

That year, they gathered 25 bags of toys and raised $300. Last year, they raised $23,000. Her husband, Jim Rosenkrans, died in April 1988.

It takes about $15,000 for Jim's Harley-Davidson to organize the event. None of the money raised goes to the event's cost.

"One hundred percent of everything that is raised goes to the children of this community," said Steve Greenstein, the general manager of Jim's Harley-Davidson.

The money and toys are given to about 15 local schools and organizations. They in turn find the needy families.

"It's phenomenal," said Kathleen Proper, principal of Woodlawn Elementary School. Proper rode her jade colored Harley in the run for the fifth year Sunday.

"It's just unbelievable how everyone comes together for this event," she said.

The run's grand marshal, boxing's former light middleweight world champion and St. Petersburg native Winky Wright, said he sees himself as a child, facing the possibility of not having a plentiful holiday.

"I know how they feel," Wright said Sunday before leading the parade of motorcycles. "Now I can help other children have a great Christmas. Today, they will have a lot of Santa Clauses."

Demorris A. Lee can be reached at 445-4174 or dalee@sptimes.com

[Last modified December 2, 2007, 22:04:15]