Motorcycle group donates more than $30,000 to Shriners after charity cruise

Kelly House, The Oregonian
FollowAbout 3,000 motorcyclists of all persuasions--Harley Davidsons, tall-handled bikes, Vespas, trikes and scooters--cruised through the streets of Portland on Saturday for the 31st annual A.B.A.T.E. of Oregon Toy Run.com

Photo courtesy of John KirbyThousands of motorcyclists from all over Oregon and Washington gather in Portland for the 31st annual A.B.A.T.E. of Oregon Toy Run.

The event raised more than $30,000 to purchase new equipment for children at the Shriners Hospital for Children. In addition to the money, the motorcycle group donated a TriMet bus full of toys to deliver to young patients.

Now in its 31st year, the Toy Run began when A.B.A.T.E. leaders found out the Shriners had a waiting list for medical equipment.

"The Portland chapter of A.B.A.T.E. decided they would do this run every year ... to buy equipment for the children," said Richard Colwell, coordinator of the motorcycle group's Portland chapter.

Armed with a list of needs from the Shriners, the motorcycle group has provided everything from wheelchairs and crutches to braces for children at the hospital.

Traffic stopped and bystanders cheered on the streets as the riders--some dressed as Santa and riding bikes disguised as sleighs--streamed across the Ross Island Bridge and down Barbur Boulevard on their way to the hospital, located at 3101 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road.

Once there, they celebrated with coffee and donuts, plus the satisfaction of providing hundreds of sick children with some holiday cheer.

"It's all for the children," Colwell said. "It's all for those kids and their families."

-- Kelly House