Toy Run lives in memory of couple
| Wednesday, Dec 09 2009 04:33 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Dec 09 2009 04:34 PM
GO & DO
What: Bakersfield Toy Run and Food Drive
When: Sunday, parade leaves Beach Park at 10 a.m., then to 21st Street makes a right on Chester Avenue then a left on Fairview to P Street.
Cost: $20 donation, or equivalent in unwrapped gifts or nonperishable food items.
"We needed to stand back a little bit. We were all kind of in shock to lose both of them. But we decided that this year we would do it in memory of Jim and Debbie."
-- Sherry Aal, acting president of the Bakersfield Toy Run
Jim and Debbie Harmon had a passion for motorcycles that was surpassed perhaps only by the size of their hearts.
For nearly half of their lives, the two spearheaded efforts to help those in need, steering their efforts into the Bakersfield Toy Run and Food Drive, one of the largest of its kind in California.
Sunday morning will be the first time in 26 years that the Harmons will not join what has grown from 50 motorcycles to nearly 4,000, and now features 300 car club members as well.
They won't be making the four-mile ride along the parade route from Beach Park, through 21st Street downtown and finally to the Kern County Fairgrounds. The two were killed Sept. 19 in Kernville when a driver crossed into their lane and collided with the motorcycle they were riding.
"I knew them for four years, not very long, but (Debbie and I) were like sisters," said Sherry Aal, acting president of the Bakersfield Toy Run. "I loved that girl. If you ever met her, she was such a sweetie. It's like you had known her forever. And Jim was president and I was vice president. He and I worked very well together. It was devastating. I'm telling you it was devastating."
Despite the tragic death of the Harmons, Aal and several others are committed to continue what they started and have worked feverishly to obtain the necessary permits to keep things afloat for not only this year but the years to come.
"We had to kind of start all over," Aal said. "We needed to stand back a little bit. We were all kind of in shock to lose both of them. But we decided that this year we would do it in memory of Jim and Debbie. We added them to our logo, on our T-shirts, there will be a big banner with their picture on it and on the trophies for the best decorated motorcycle and car.
"It's slowly coming together and I think it's going to be a good toy run this year. I think there's going to be a lot more people too because it's in memory of Jim and Debbie."
All proceeds from the ride, which is set to leave Beach Park at 10 a.m., will be donated to the Salvation Army to help make gift baskets for in-need families in Kern County. More than 1,300 families have signed up to receive the baskets this year, according to Bob Atkinson, director of family services for the Salvation Army.
"I don't know how to put it into words what a big deal this is," Atkinson said. "It's a lot of work and dedication. The planning for next year's run will start in January. It's a 12-month a year deal. Folks like Jim and Debbie donate their time year-round. They show up and plan and try to make this work. It's quite a massive undertaking. It's just something you do and you really don't think about how much time and effort is involved in it. It's just part of what you've become over the years in doing something for somebody else."
Last year's event brought in thousands of toys, $12,000 in donations and a quarter-ton of groceries.
"Depending on the year of course, but probably more than half of money, toys and food for the entire year is generated with the toy run," Atkinson said. "So we're able to help twice as many people as we would if we didn't have them."
The event is set to start at 7 a.m. at Beach Park with doughnuts and coffee, with a carnival type atmosphere kicking off once everyone arrives at the fairgrounds, according to Omar Macias, public relations officer for the Bakersfield Toy Run.
Two live bands are scheduled to play alongside several booths and food vendors. Entrance into the fairgrounds requires a $20 donation or its equivalent in an unwrapped toy or food.
"A lot of people just love to watch the bikes," Macias said. "I have friends that live on 21st Street. They get their lawn chairs and they sit out front and they watch the bikes go by. There's the car clubs. They donate a lot. I mean they pack their cars. Some of these cars there's enough room for the driver, a passenger and that's it. Everything else is stuffed with toys and food. They're a big part of this toy run, as well.
"It's more than a party. It's bigger than a benefit function, it's for the community of Bakersfield. People helping themselves and helping Bakersfield."
