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 The event was held on Christmas Eve in the in the
parking lot at the corner of North Logan and Fifth Street, with
permission from Zion Lutheran Church in order to also utilize the
little log cabin church on that same corner.
The event called “Bikers for Brats” is in its third year of Santa
and friends handing out presents to children who might not have
received as much as others this Christmas season.
Dale Swinford, who also was the Santa for this event, is the
coordinator for the activity with help from his wife as Mrs. Santa
and several of his biker buddies.
Swinford and a group of folks who enjoy taking their bikes out
together decided a couple of years ago that they wanted to do
something special for less fortunate children in Lincoln and Logan
County. They came up with Bikers for Brats and outlined a plan on
how to implement their idea.
The biker buddies put the word out that the event would take place.
An application form was designed, and then the group waited as
applications came in.
To help finance the giving project, the group hosted some
fundraisers including bike rides, t-shirt sales and raffles. They
also accepted cash donations from anyone who wanted to help.
Gifts for each applicant were purchased by Swinford, with his
personal “Mrs. Santa” handling the majority of the wrapping gifts.
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In 2020, Santa collected 83 applications and went
door to door delivering the gifts to excited children on Christmas
Eve.
This year, there were 122 applicants. Swinford and
his helpers decided that they wouldn’t have time to drive to every
home and deliver the gifts. They utilized the parking lot and asked
family members to bring their children to Santa.
On Friday, Santa was joined by several friends including the Grinch
(the one that returned Christmas) and Frosty the Snowman. Peggy’s
Place provided hot chocolate and cookies for all the children.
Swinford was excited about the opportunity to show a little love to
children in the community. He said this year it was easier on
everyone because the weather was so warm. He remembered not so
fondly that last year the weather had been brutal and delivery of
all those gifts had been a big challenge for himself and his
friends. This year it was much easier, but no less special.
Thanks to all the biker buddies and those who supported them for
making Christmas a little more special for some deserving children
in our community.
[Nila Smith, Karen Hargis & Tonya Matthews] |
