Cape Girardeau motorcyclists ride to fill Christmas baskets for local families

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — The price of admission for Sunday’s Toy Run in Cape Girardeau was a toy and a nonperishable food item. Both will go into Christmas baskets for local families.

Freedom of Road Riders Local 16 and Cape Eagles Aerie 3775 collected the toys and food. The Eagles distribute the baskets to families who apply, said George Reutzel, a member of both groups and Local 16’s central committee representative.

Reutzel said he and another founding member started the Toy Run more than 40 years ago because they wanted to change how people saw motorcyclists.

The riders first donated toys to the Salvation Army. They began collecting for the Cape Eagles after Reutzel joined the club and learned they also put together Christmas baskets for the community.

“A lot of people do not realize how much bikers do for the community,” said Rhonda Weston, president of Freedom of Road Riders Local 16.

Weston has been with the group for more than 20 years. She said the cost of everyday items makes the extra help especially important to families.

She also looks forward to seeing friends from other motorcycle groups, some of whom use the gathering to plan more benefit rides.

The Cape Girardeau run has attracted participants from as far away as Memphis and St. Louis, Reutzel said. In one year, about 200 people turned out. They brought enough donations to help the Elks Club and the Cape Eagles, with enough left to help Eagles clubs in Sikeston and Perryville, he said.

Reutzel said he hopes a bigger turnout in future years will also bring attention to other groups’ fundraising. He pointed to War Child, which he said raises money for St. Jude and for veterans.

“This is one of the things that brings everybody together,” Reutzel said.

Organizers will assemble the baskets Dec. 19 in Cape Girardeau.