For the seventh year, bikers with the Ohio State Coalition of Clubs have kept up their yearly tradition of giving to the children under Montgomery County’s care. The bikers met at the Haines Children’s Center to give almost $11,000 to the over 700 children in the Montgomery County foster system. Caseworkers will distribute the presents.

The bikers would hold a group prayer over the gifts, and the Montgomery County commissioners would thank the bikers for their kindness and support (Widlow, Dec. 2nd).

“It speaks to the heart,” said Montgomery County commissioner Judy Dodge, according to Emily Lewis and Whitney Williams  with WDTN. “And this has been so wonderful because, we have over 700 children that are in foster care. Can you imagine the smile on their face Christmas morning?” (Lewis, Williams, Dec. 2)

According to Samantha Widlow with the Dayton Daily News, Keith “Elmo” Tickle, a member of the U.S. Veterans Motorcycle Club, said “We got some of the best looking Santas in the world and the ugliest Santas in the world to deliver a lot of gifts today.” (Widlow, Dec. 2nd).

“It’s monumental for us, to continue to give back to the community,” said Tickle (Lewis, Williams, Dec. 2)

The bikers started their yearly tradition in 2017 at Walmart. Jayna Hill, a Walmart academy coach, said “They saw that Walmart was a part of their community.” Today, the bikers are partnered with Walmart. Through Walmart’s Spark Good program shoppers can round up for a nonprofit of their choice (Widlow, Dec. 2nd).

You can find more information on Walmart’s Spark Good program here.

The Ohio State Coalition of Clubs also provides backpacks for children returning to school and puts on an annual Easter egg hunt. You can find out more about The Ohio State Coalition of Clubs here.