Hells Angels Nomads NY and ABATE work together to collect Toys for Tots

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http://www.examiner.com/biker-culture-in-albany/hells-angels-nomads-ny-and-abate-work-together-to-collect-toys-for-tots
Hells Angels Nomads NY and ABATE work together to collect Toys for Tots

December 13th, 2010 Do you like this story? Once again, the bikers of New York came through and held a wonderful event to raise money and collect donations of toys for the Toys for Tots program on Saturday, December 11, in Syracuse, New York. The party was held at the Locker Room and was sponsored by the Hells Angels Nomads NY , ABATE of NY Onondaga Chapter , Toys for Tots, and the Salvation Army. People came from all over New York State to attend and participate in this worthy cause. It was a joy to see not only club members and other bikers from the sponsoring organizations, but also individuals from the local community, come together to give whatever they could to support this team effort. The price for entry was either $20 or $10 (donated to the Salvation Army) and a new, unwrapped toy.
A buffet of salad and pasta was offered and there was a DJ there to rock the house, and an artist who was quite talented at painting images on wooden plaques. A few of the clubs had their club logos painted while they waited, and there were plaques already made which were auctioned.
Several members of the Leathernecks MC were there, representing the Toys for Tots program. As stated on the Toys for Tots website: “Toys for Tots began in 1947, when Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. The idea came form Bill’s wife, Diane. In the fall of 1947, Diane crafted a homemade doll and asked Bill to deliver the doll to an organization, which would give it to a needy child at Christmas. When Bill determined that no agency existed, Diane told Bill that he should start one. He did. The 1947 pilot project was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign.”
Members of the Leathernecks MC presented the Hells Angels with a certificate thanking them for their collaboration on this project, which proved to be a huge success. How awesome that the dream of those Marines back in 1947 culminated in an alliance such as this one, with bikers. What better group to share in that dream, as bikers have just as strong a resolve once they have been assigned a mission! Smiles were abundant as the trailer with the toys drove off to be delivered, and there is no doubt that everyone who played a part felt their hearts swell, realizing the result of their simple generosity. It doesn’t take millions to make a difference in the life of a child.
The cooperation among the organizations involved was not surprising, given the compassion and determination among bikers who have proven time and time again that those familiar with motorcycle grease and black leather are not all dirty and dark. Bikers have shown their true colors once more. Peace+