More than 130 rumbling motorcycles invaded Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni’s streets during the Toys for Tots Motorcycle Rally here Dec. 6.
The annual event, coordinated by the MCAS Iwakuni Motorcycle Club and Single Marine Program, promotes the Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign, which collects new, unwrapped toys each year and distributes the gifts to needy children in the community where the campaign is conducted.
Mike Gingles, who served as a rally coordinator, said the ticket into the rally and ride is one new toy.
“The Japanese go out and buy a toy that’s no more than 1,000 yen,” he explained. “They bring it in, they drop it off — gets them on the base. They get a hamburger, hotdog, soda and have a good time.”
The event provided live entertainment, food and games for participating riders. A mass “thunder run” ride around the perimeter of the base united the cruisers, sport bikes and custom motorcycles.
Gingles said the station motorcycle club will coordinate a gift-wrapping session to prepare the toys for delivery.
Then, American and Japanese bikers will be invited to personally deliver the toys to children at a local orphanage.
The motorcycle club and SMP coordinate several charitable events throughout the year to support the local community.
A massive rally on Oshima Island in the spring complements the Toys for Tots event.
“Our mission is to build a better relationship with the community,” Gingles said.
Gingles said the rally events bring Japanese and American riders together to enjoy motorcycle culture and simultaneously raise funds for those in need.
“I think about the children who don’t have Christmas,” Gingles added. “Christmas is beginning to be more important in Japan. For us to gather these toys to give to the children in the orphanage means a lot to me. ... Each year the more toys we give the better I feel because that makes a child happy.”