Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/763593
10 nJanuary 2017n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS by Don Kline MONTCLAIR, CALIF,. DEC. 4— This long-running event which is put on by members from ABATE Local 19 and Pomona Valley H.O.G. takes place on the fi rst Sunday in December. For the past few years the event took place at the Ontario Elks Lodge, but this year the event moved to a new loca- tion, Pomona Valley Harley-Davidson in Montclair. ABATE is the American Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education, a motorcycle safety and education group. H.O.G. is, of course, the Harley Owners Group. The orga- nization benefi ting from this run is Santa Claus of Chaffey District Inc. According to the information on their website, it was founded in 1955, and is a community-based, registered non -profi t organization serving families in need. They provide an "anonymous" Santa Claus experience for 4,000 to 5,000 children who might not other- wise have a Christmas. Talking with some of the people from both PV H.O.G. and ABATE Local 19, I was told that meetings are held all year long to get vendors, donations and vol- unteers to make this event happen. The weather turned out to be nice as the Santa Ana winds that have been blowing hard the last few days stopped in time for the run. To get into this event you needed $10 and one new unwrapped toy; those aged 12 and under paid $5 to get in or got in free if they brought a toy. Riding into the lot you could hear the music playing as riders parked and got in line to pay and donate the toys. The music this year was pro- vided by students from Rockstars of Tomorrow Musicians Academy in Norco, California. They teach voice, instruments and even produce records and albums. They were performing by the front door, near the raffl e prize tent and tables full of prizes, and the board with the winning numbers was con- stantly updated. There were over 300 raffl e prizes to be given out with the grand prize being a 50-inch fl at-screen television. Over by the service department door, where the toys were being piled up, was Santa Claus of Chaffey District Inc. There was a sign that said 106 bicycles were being donated courtesy of members of ABATE Local 19 and PV H.O.G. Across from them was where Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, who had a basket full of candy, were set up for photo ops. The emcee/DJ duties were handled by Mike Morris of Stompbox Entertainment. While listening to the music you could check out the vendors who were selling arts and crafts, knives, cus- tom-made blankets, motorcycle parts and the like. One vendor had several tables of patches, glasses and other biker related items they even had a sewing machine set up in case you wanted them sewn on. Two motorcy- cle attorney fi rms were onsite, Russ Brown and their BAM program which is a roadside assistance program for motorcyclists and the Law Offi ces of Richard M. Lester was here pro- moting their AIM or Aid to Injured Motorcyclist. Three food vendors were set up, one selling tamales, one selling ket- tle corn and one selling juices and drinks. The Black Sheep were doing boot shines. There was a dime toss booth where one could win a prize if your dime went into that object. Willy Shiny Chrome, a regular at this event, was here again with all his shiny metal parts. Inside, the dealership had coffee and hot cider and was serving up apple and pumpkin pie. Over on the north side of the building was where the beer was being sold. The Ride-In Bike Show had 21 motorcycles and a Polaris Slingshot entered into nine categories, and win- ners were: People's Choice: Gilbert Cruz of Fontana, 2005 chopper Best of Show: Joe Asturi of Rancho Cucamonga, 2015 Harley- Davidson Road Glide Best Decorated: Ramon Bracamonte of Fontana, 2002 Harley- Davidson Springer Best Classic: Christ Stowers of Covina, 1943 Harley-Davidson Springer Best Trike: John Gaballdon of Anaheim, 2015 Harley-Davidson Trike Best Sport: Ed Guzman of Pomona, 2005 sport bike. Best Cruiser: Pete Negrete of Montclair, 2007 Harley-Davidson Softail. Best Touring: Marcos Mendieta of San Bernardino, 2015 Harley- Davidson Road Glide. Also collecting a prize was Mel DelDegan of Ontario who won 352 in the Opportunity Drawing. The biggest winners are, of course, the kids who receive all the toys, and the riders and people who bring them are win- ners too. (www.santaclauschaffey.com, www.abate.org, www.pomonavalleyhog.com) 4 28TH ANNUAL TOY RUN Everyone's a winner PV H.O.G. and ABATE 19 partner to provide for kids Students from Rockstars of Tomorrow performed favorite tunes Bikes were decorated for the holidays in the bike show Mrs. Claus and Santa were on hand for photos