Bikers bring toys to town

This holiday season, the California Highway Patrol and the Glenn-Colusa chapter of United Bikers of Northern California are playing Santa by bringing joy to less fortunate children in Colusa and Glenn counties.

The second annual CHiPs for Kids and United Biker toy drive got underway Sunday.

Bikers from the Tri-County and surrounding areas, some with stuffed animals strapped to handlebars and back rests, donated dozens of new gifts, which will be distributed to Colusa County children by Impact Life, a nonprofit organization which provides food, hygiene, clothing and basic human services within the community.

The toy drive will continue Saturday in Willows for children in Glenn County.

"This is an opportunity for us to help the community," said Kevin Wellborn, president of the local United Bikers. "There are other toy runs that start here, but the toys are distributed out of the area. We have a need here as well and we want to do what we can to fulfill that need."

In addition to United Bikers, the toy run picked up local riders and those from other bike clubs and organizations.

Riding for Star Touring and Riding Association of Yuba City, Steve Woldanski, off-duty from his day job as a Williams police sergeant, said bikers enjoy the opportunity to be a part of charitable giving.

"We look for any excuse to ride," joked Woldanski, whose organization also participates in Pink October and a coat drive.

About 50 bikers participated in Saturdays event, which kicked off from Granzella's in Williams, led by two CHP motorcycle officers, to Impact Life Thrift Store, where they were greeted by the Colusa Fire Department, Colusa Friday Night Live and CHiPPER, the CHP mascot.

This year marks the second year the CHP and bikers teamed up with Impact Life to help kids locally. It's the sixth year for the United Bikers Toy Drive in Willows.

However, it's the 20th year the CHiPs for Kids program, which began in Los Angeles and now runs at each CHP filed office in the state, the CHP said.

The program relies entirely on donations of toys from individuals, local business, schools and organizations to provide for those in need at Christmas.

Impact Life expects to serve 1,000 children in the community, according to Buffy Welch, manager.

"This year, the need is great," Welch said.

Welch said about 50 CHiPs for Kids-UBNC-Impact Life toy barrels are scattered in businesses throughout the area to collect toys for children.

The toys will be distributed through an application process before Christmas.

Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.