CHICO — Each year the Butte County Toy Run committee, led by its president Lisa Salzmann, aims to collect toys and funds throughout the year that are used to assist Butte County foster children.
On Saturday, hundreds of motorcyclists convened at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, where the only entrance fee was a toy donated to foster youth for the 33rd annual Butte County Toy Run in Butte County.
The event was originally started by Butte County foster parent Terry Jones and Calvary Chapel Pastor Dave Suede when the two participated in a ride that did not benefit Butte County youth. The two took it upon themselves to start the race.
On Saturday a group left at approximately 11 a.m. from the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico and headed to Calvary Chapel in Magalia.
Gifts collected each year are then set up so that foster parents are able to shop for two gifts for each child plus stocking stuffers. Funds are used to help with extracurricular activities or necessary surgeries, Salzmann said.
Most years the gifts are collected inside at the church in Magalia, however, due to COVID-19 restrictions closing the church gifts, were collected at the start in a trailer at the fairgrounds.
Some riders at the event like Salzmann have been attending for 26 years. Others have been just once or twice.
Cris Rice graduated from Chico High School and currently resides in Yuba City. In 2018 he had planned to revisit his childhood home for the ride, prior to the Camp Fire that burned through Butte County in November of that year.
When he found out about the idea of visiting his hometown he jumped at it.
“I went to school here back in the stone age but I love this town and I love bikes and anything I can do to get in a group,” Rice said. “This is a Christmas thing so it’s just perfect.”
During Rice’s first toy ride in 2018, he met a man who had a teddy bear on the back of his bike that was larger than Rice himself. His story was even bigger.
His new friend told Rice that he had just lost his home in the Camp Fire and his truck and bike survived. The day prior the man’s motorcycle was being worked on and he had not yet put it down from the trailer. When the fire hit, he hopped in his truck, with his motorcycle in the back, and away they went. And there they were in December of 2018 with a gigantic teddy bear on the back of his motorcycle aside Rice.
“That’s the kind of folks I like to meet,” Rice said. “Bring the positivity even in their own stress. So I said I have to be involved. It just keeps me involved. It justs a great experience, a great time.”
