Born To Be… Generous, Bikers Show-up In Force

They sped off in a sea of black leathers and loud Harley´s.

Nearly 500 motorcycle enthusiasts from around Northern California assembled Saturday morning in Jamestown for a run to Soulsbyville. The 16th annual Sonora Toy Run helps raise donations of food and toys for needy families and children this holiday.

Jerry Schutz of Sonora was enjoying the benefits for being Santa for the run.

“I get to be leader of the pack for the day,” he yelled over the roar of hundreds of motorcycles reeving their engines.

Schutz has taken the Santa role for about 12 years.”A friend of mine did it until he passed away, and I took over from there and been doing it ever since.”

Food and cash donations are given to Sonora Interfaith and the toys are given to local children at the annual Christmas Dinner held at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in December.

There´s a underlying reason for the generosity, Schutz said. “It´s to show people that the old cliche or whatever of the biker image is not what it all seems to be. We´re all a good bunch of people who want help raise money for Interfaith and toys and food for the needy.”

Leora Coville working the registration booth was amazed at the number of bikers who arrived at Jamestown Harley Davidson on the overcast Saturday morning. Even bikers who couldn´t attend made their present known, she said. “We´ve had a lot of people donate cash donations outside of this event.”