Toledo Speedway

The 27^th Annual Bikers of Northwest Ohio Toy Run was held Sunday Nov. 6 at Toledo Speedway. Sunny skies with temperatures in the 60s brought nearly 1,000 bikers. Total attendance of nearly 1,500 generated a near-record $13,050 to benefit the children at Harbor Behavioral Health.

Organized annually by lifelong Toledo resident and veteran biker “Big Mike” Wenzel, the outing brings together several local and regional biker clubs who donate either a child’s Christmas gift or a $10 cash donation to participate. The event, annually held on the first Sunday in November, features an appearance by Santa, who distributes wrapped presents to children in attendance at the agency’s location in downtown Toledo.

Former Toledo Mayor and current Lucas County Commissioner candidate Mike Bell and Wenzel led the procession, with assistance from Washington Township police traffic control. The bikers departed from Toledo Speedway and routed along Benore Road, Alexis Road, Enterprise Road, Matzinger Road, Stickney Avenue, Sherman Street, Cherry Street, Canton Street, Woodruff Avenue and 14^th Street to their destination, one of Harbor’s sites in downtown Toledo.

Harbor, founded over 100 years ago, is the largest mental health provider in Northwest Ohio with several locations in the Toledo area including Jobst Tower in Toledo Children’s Hospital. The agency offers a wide range of services with several programs dedicated to children’s services such as counseling, therapy, consulting for childcare centers, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and school-based achievement programs.

Sponsors of the event included Teamsters Local 20, Pretzel the Biker Baker of the Centurions Motorcycle Club, Big Mike and the Avengers Motorcycle Club of Lucas County and Toledo Speedway.

The 28^th annual Bikers of Northwest Ohio Toy Run is scheduled for Sunday Nov. 5, 2017.

For more photos, click here http://www.toledospeedway.com/photos/2357110