December 06, 2003
Saturday - 1:00 am

Ketchikan, AK - In a ceremony Friday morning, an appreciative Ketchikan Harley Riders Association accepted a generous check in the amount of $1,000 from Wal-Mart for the annual Toys for Kids program. The contribution by Wal-Mart will be used by the Harley Riders Association for purchasing toys and gifts for children and teens in Ketchikan, Metlakatla, and Prince of Wales Island.

Ketchikan Harley Riders' President Paula Falzarano said funds for the program are also raised during the year and more fund raising events are planned for this weekend. She said, "Events we hold that help us to gather money for this time of year are the Spring Opener which happens the last weekend in April, and the Toy Run." According to Falzarano,

Terry Smith, Ketchikan Wal-Mart Store Manager Photo by Dick Kauffman

the Toy Run will be this weekend December 6th, and the Toy Run Auction will be on December 7th at the VFW from 2 to 6 pm.  Falzarano said all money raised from these events will be used to buy new toys for children in need. 

Ketchikan Harley Riders' President Paula Falzarano said, "We live in a community that is very rich in giving and it is the people in our community that are the ones giving their hard earned monitory donations to the Association." Falzarano said if it were not for the donations we would not be able to continue this annual event. She said, "The Toy Run was designed to make at least one day each year a little brighter for a child. Christmas is not only a time for giving and remembering it is a time for children's laughter. An empty stocking carries no sound at all."

Falzarano said participation in the Toys for Kids community wide event has brought some much-needed laughter to this town. She said the time and effort contributed helped the Harley Riders Association to help over 486 families last year. Falzarano said, "This year we hope to be able to help brighten some children's faces again." She said, "To see a face light up when we bring a bag of toys for kids is just indescribable, we are touched as much as the parents when we show up with these toys."

Ketchikan Harley Riders' President Paula Falzarano said, "On behalf of the Ketchikan Harley Riders Association, we would like to give this community our sincerest thanks in helping us to make this year's Toy Run possible."

Members of the Ketchikan Harley Riders Association Board are: Paula Falzarano President; Mel Boles Vice President; Helena Dunn Secretary; Heather Phelps Treasurer; Ron Balzer Sgt. At Arms; Gregg Wilkes Member-At-Large; and Linda Budge Associate-Member-At-Large.

 

 

 

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