Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/617259
8 nJanuary 2016n www.thunderpress.net by Helldog FRESNO, CALIF., DEC. 5—Last year, a photo of Hell's Angel Merl Hefferman standing in line on Black Friday at the local Walmart went viral across the globe. He had waited nine days and was there to buy every bicycle in the store. After millions of "hits," the story ran wild across social media and national media networks. It was a hit, and set up the growth for this year's event. The Toy Run was boosted on billboards, reader boards, city buses and fl yers in every store- front across Fresno. He even starred in the fi rst-ever Hell's Angels com- mercial. Merl met with staff from the Poverello House, WestCare California and Catholic Charities in August to plan the run. He ran a savvy social media campaign and appeared on local radio and TV talk shows. You'd have to be off the grid not to know what was happening. And it worked! Donations and sponsors poured in. To get the most bang from those sponsor dollars, the last few years the Hell's Angels have camped in front of Walmart the week before Thanksgiving to be fi rst in line for those Black Friday specials. After buying out the bicycles in the store, it takes a lot of hands to build the bikes. The club called on family and friends; Notorious, Screamin' Demons, Pancho Villa Riders, Los Aventados and many more helped to hold the line and build the bikes this year. On Toy Run Saturday, the weather was perfect and over 400 bik- ers showed at the Intimos Cocktail Lounge to ride to "the Pov." Gus and Izzy from 105.1 the Blaze, introduced Merl as a "big heart under a whole lotta leather." Merl spoke from that big heart, "It's probably not that important of a sale for some people to spend nine days of their life in a line at Walmart, but it is to us. For some of these kids this may be the only gift they get this year. And that's why we do this, to give a little piece of Christmas joy to the kids who may not have it other- wise. It's a team effort; I'm just the spokesman. We need people to donate, stand in line with us and put the bikes together." Merl got kinda choked up as he thanked all the people and sponsors who helped make it happen. This year's "little piece of Christmas joy" added up to six semi- trucks fi lled with 527 new bicycles and dozens of bins overfl owing with toys. The trucks and drivers were pro- vided by Walmart, R & B, Numark and Lawson Transportation. At the Pov, hundreds of excited children were patiently waiting the roar of motor- cycles. Merl and Santa led the parade as TV and media clambered for the big story. Merl thanked everyone again and called out a few special folks in the crowd. Clif Wilson rode in from Vacaville with two bicycles strapped on his Harley. "It was hella cold, but I told Merl, I was coming." Santa Mel was thanked for 17 years of continu- ous service. Motorcycle clubs, inde- pendent riders and volunteers assisted in unloading the bikes as the children lined up for the bicycle giveaway. This year, every child present received a brand-new bicycle, Merl's dream come true. Hell's Angels from across the state were helping kids pick out the bicycle of their dreams. Laughs, smiles and thank yous were in plenti- ful supply. One little girl said, "I'm so excited! I'm thankful for this beautiful day, and I'm thankful for getting the bicycle." A direct give to children is special because everyone gets to see the magic of Christmas on their faces. The bikes were given out today but the toys will be stored for the Pov to hand out Christmas morning. The charity spokesmen thanked Merl, the Hell's Angels, and the community, for their personal commitment to this toy run year after year. As the crowd thinned and the blacktop reappeared, each of us car- ried special memories of these children who will never forget that someone loves and cares for them. The day ended at the Sportsmen's Club where pasta from Luna's Pizzera, and the biggest cake imaginable, would feed the hungry masses. Raffl e sales were brisk, and Hope "the lucky elf" won the grand prize—a 50" LED TV. The sun warmed our bones as we shared in a job well done. A big thanks to Merl and the Fresno County Hell's Angels who made every child's Christmas dream come true. 4 Merl and his grandson Damien thank everyone for supporting the toy run Grateful kids can hardly wait to try out their new bikes 17TH ANNUAL FRESNO COUNTY HELL'S ANGELS TOY RUN Social media campaign grows holiday cheer Christmas Christmas g o es g o es v i r a l v i r a l