Harley bikers play Santa Claus
Fullerton bikers donate toys to young patients at UCLA Med
Center
By Ben Gilmore
An immense man dressed in leather and a blue bandana scowled
quietly while holding a small stuffed lion.
A child sat on a motorcycle shyly staring up at the owner of the
bike while Credence Clearwater Revival’s "Born on the Bayou"
blasted from a radio.
Such scenes were not uncommon on Sunday as a group of
Harley-Davidson bikers from Fullerton caravaned to the UCLA Medical
Center, where they donated toys for the fifth straight year to the
UCLA Child Life Program for seriously ill children.
The crew of about 60 bikers arrived at around 10 a.m. at the
dropoff area near LeConte and Tiverton Avenues, accompanied by a
large truck containing the toys. Staff from the hospital program
had children patients meet the bikers and play on their
Harleys.
Jim Fortier, known as "Wolfman" to his Harley comrades, said
this was the highlight of the event. "Getting to see the kids is
the best part," he said.
Joyce Chance, who is a member of the biker group, organized the
toy drive in memory of her late son Johnny Baker, who received
cancer treatment at the UCLA Medical Center.
Chance said that she and the other members view the toy drive as
a family event. "Harley riders all support each other. They’re like
family," she explained. "I called them up and told them I wanted to
do this and it’s gotten bigger every year."
Bringing everything from Chutes and Ladders to teddy bears, the
Fullerton group also donates toys in Orange County, Fortier
said.
Participants said that events like these help change the
stereotypical image of bikers as mean and dangerous men with "Mama
Didn’t Love Me" tatoos.
"People have to realize that bikers are just like any other
people, they just like to ride bikes. Even Hells’ Angels have toy
runs," said Pauline Assarian, head of the Fullerton Ladies of
Harley, the female wing of the chapter.
Others members added that people often forget bikers have normal
lives outside of biking.
"Biking is our passion, it keeps us young. Five days a week, we
do whatever we do. We all have jobs. But on the weekends we bike,"
Tom Hartmann explained.
This weekend the group gave the kids toys and much more.
A Harley was even brought up to the medical center for young
patients to ride in the hallways. The action met with approval by
the center’s staff. "I thought it was great" volunteer Sylvia
Tejedo said.