'No Child Should Go Without Toys': ABATE Motorcycle Group Collects Toys For Children

Over the past four decades, the motorcycle rights organization A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education or “ABATE” has dedicated itself to giving back to the community.

“The motorcycle community always turns out in need, always,” said ABATE President James Chambers Clark.

On Sunday, the group is revving up the Christmas spirit in Oklahoma with its annual toy run for the Marines “Toys for Tots” campaign.

The toys aren’t on the back of Santa’s sleigh. Instead, they’re on the back of motorcycles.

Clark says as their entry fee, each rider brings at least one new unwrapped toy, which will then be unloaded onto Marine trucks.

“We’re Santa’s helpers in leather…well there are exceptions,” said Clark. “More like a bunch of nutty elves, really,” laughed ABATE member James Miller. 

He and fellow member Ricky Cassady are guiding the bikes to the event.

They know some people may look down on the motorcycle community, but they don’t let that stop them from helping those who need it.

“Yeah, we’re all tough bikers and all that, but we also have big hearts, real good souls and that’s what we stand for, " Miller said. 

Both are looking forward to brightening up a few households this holiday season.

“No child should go without toys, the Marines see to that, of course, we’re here for the Marines also,” Miller said. 

Clark wants to do the same one toy at a time.

“Every child should have something underneath the tree, every child should have it, and we’re doing our part to make that happen,” he said.

The group is driving in a parade of bikes from the fairgrounds down to the Jenks Riverwalk where Marines meet them to collect even more toys. All donated toys will stay in northeast Oklahoma and then be distributed to kids in need.