Annual Toy Run a Go

The Delaware Valley Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education’s 31st annual motorcycle toy run is back on and will take place this Sunday but with a different route that should ease traffic at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

The run, which features thousands of motorcycle riders, was in jeopardy after officials from CHOP said the amount of traffic and toys was too much to handle.

The groups reached a compromise that allows the bikers to go on the run but now the toys will be collected by Drexel University Students at Citizens Bank Park and used towards the University’s annual holiday toy drive.

A smaller group of bikers will then take the remaining toys to CHOP where they will be presented to patients.

“Spending time and effort to put a smile on a sick child’s face is the best part of my job,” said Congressman Bob Brady who was instrumental in helping the groups reach a compromise. “I want to thank all the parties for coming together and developing a plan for the Toy Drive that keeps toys flowing to these kids at CHOP without compromising CHOP’s ability to handle medical emergency vehicles at all times.”

The folks at CHOP were glad to see toys continuing to be delivered to sick kids.

“(Congressman Brady’s) ability to bring all the parties together to find a way to keep the Toy Run while preserving CHOP’s ability to serve the needs of our patients will make this Sunday a great day for the children and families we serve,” CHOP President and CEO Dr. Steven Altschuler said.

The bikers from A.B.A.T.E. were glad that the toy run, though different, will continue.

“A week ago there was no Toy Drive,” said A.B.A.T.E. spokesman Denny Waldman. “Today, it is bigger and better than ever. Thank you Congressman Bob Brady, CHOP and Drexel University for providing the volunteer support and distribution infrastructure to deal with the thousands of new unwrapped toys that our Toy Drive will deliver to Citizens Bank Park. This could not have happened without the Phillies stepping up to the plate to provide a staging area for our toy drop-off and without the leadership of Mayor Michael Nutter, the Managing Director’s Office and the Philadelphia Police Department. We greatly appreciate all of their efforts.”