Annual Benefit Ride Begins Sat. Sept. 19

By DANIELLE COLLINS
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On Saturday, Sept. 19, the sixth annual Sons of the Resurrection Toy Run will take place in Guymon.
According to Troy Riffel, President of Sons of the Resurrection, the Toy Run is an event that allows members of the Sons of the Resurrection to raise money and receive toys to donate to local families for Christmas. The families that receive the toys are those who would not be able to have Christmas without them.
The event begins at the Living Word Fellowship Live Building, 8th and Roosevelt. Registration for the event begins at 10 a.m., followed by the parade of toys and the bike ride. For those bringing a new toy to the event, the entry fee is $15 and for those not bringing a new toy, the entry fee is $25. A meal is included in both of the entry fees, but additional meal tickets are $5.  
Since the creation of the Toy Run, money and toys have been donated by those involved in the chapter, as well as the bikers and people throughout the community. Last year, the association had 30 riders in the run and received $920.  With the money that was received, the chapter was able to help 101 families and 218 children.
Each year, the amount of money and toys that will be donated changes.
"You can never tell about events like this,"  Riffel said. "Some years are better than others.  I know that every year it has grown as far as money and toys, but we have no way of knowing how much money will come in."
The Toy Run has many rewarding and memorable components, but some are more memorable and rewarding than others.
According to Riffel, the first year of the Toy Run, the Sons of the Resurrection delivered a gift to a family with a young boy. The gift was a football and was wrapped so that the boy knew exactly what it was when it was delivered. The boy unwrapped the football as soon as he could and starting playing with it.  
"Immediately he could tell what it was and his eyes just brightened up and he had a grin from ear to ear," Riffel said. "When we left, he was waving at us with one hand and had the football in the other. I will never forget that image."
For many of the chapter members, each year is the most rewarding and memorable component. The Toy Run is a joint effort and without the help of the community, the bikers and the Chapter, the event would not be possible.
According to Riffel, in Matthew 25:40 the Scripture says, "The King (Jesus) will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
"We want people to know that there are people in our community that are in need and we are just doing our part as Christians to help out," Riffel said.
If anyone is interested in donating to the Toy Run, the Sons of the Resurrection will accept only new, unwrapped toys. The group will also accept monetary donations, which will go to buy toys for families in the community. For more information contact Troy Riffel at 814 N. Main or call 580-338-5608.