Motorcyclists collect Toys for Tots

Tim Brody - Editor

The Sioux Lookout HOG (Harley Owners Group) Chapter’s annual Toys for Tots event took place last Saturday, with local and area motorcyclists collecting new, unwrapped toys and monetary donations at the Sioux Lookout Travel Information Centre.
This was the club’s 20th year running the event, which Chapter Director Rick Jaworski said is the last official club event of the season and a chance to give back to the community.
Donations were given to the Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre for their Christmas Hamper Program.
“Beautiful day, beautiful year,” Jaworski said, commenting on this year’s Toys for Tots event and this year’s riding season.” 
Jaworski added that anyone who would like to support the Toys for Tots initiative can still do so by contacting the Friendship Centre (807-737-1903) about making a donation.
Looking back on the event, Jaworski recalled, “We used to do a show and shine for the Blueberry Festival. One of the people that would show up every year mentioned Toys for Tots wouldn’t be a bad idea, so the next year we started and we’ve been doing it ever since.”
He added, “We had heard about the Friendship Centre handing out hampers, so just put them together.”
Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre Executive Director Ashely Edwards shared of the club’s efforts in a recent Facebook post, “For the last 20+ years the Sioux Lookout HOG (Harley Owners Group) has hosted the Toys for Tots campaign. They generously donate their time and efforts to support the Christmas Hamper Program here at Nishnawbe Gamik Friendship Centre. 
“The Christmas Hamper program annually supplies 150+ hampers to families in Sioux Lookout & Hudson. The hampers contain a full Christmas meal as well as some staple food items to help families get through the hectic and expensive season. Thanks to the HOG chapter we also are able to add toys to the hampers. 
“On behalf of the Friendship Centre Board of Directors we THANK the HOG chapter for another year of support.”