Motorcycle Toy Drive Raises $1,300

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

The 3rd Annual Vegreville Motorcycle Riders (VMR) Toy Drive had 17 members of VMR Group and six members from Iron Runners Auto Club of Vegreville (IRACV) participate as well as two drag racers from Vegreville Speedway participate in the event.

Everyone gathered at Galleria Shops parking lot and drove through the Town of Vegreville on August 21.

This event generated over $1,300 for Vegreville Christmas Bureau.

Patti Gallien, Coordinator of the Toy Drive, said her younger brother Lindsay Gallien from Edson gave her the idea of a toy drive as he started one 30 years ago in Edson. “Two years ago I said I was going to have a toy drive and he gave me all the information and now I am having one in Vegreville.”

Lindsay said he wanted to start the toy drive because he rides for Santa Anonymous in Edmonton, in Edson, and now in Vegreville and he knows how they help kids have a good Christmas.

Mike and Joanne Sturnay fromthe IRACV said they were participating because they felt it was very nice for people to want to hold this event to help out Vegreville Christmas Bureau.

Anthony Vincent said he was participating because his family needed the Christmas Bureau in the past when they had some hard times so they just wanted to give back.

VMR Administrator Jason Gagne said he was participating because it is a good event and a nice social outing. “I have been in the position where I needed help and there are always people who have tight funds. So, it is nice to have this where we can give gifts and food to make people happy.”

Sonny Gegolick said he wanted to take part because this gave him a chance to ride his motorcycle with his grandson Dax Gegolick. Dax said he felt Vegreville Christmas Bureau was a good cause because it involved sharing and it is always good to share.

Darrell Sabrowsky said he donated some toys because he doesn’t want to see children go without toys or without having the Christmas spirit.

Their final stop was Vegreville Regional Museum where they had a chili lunch. Three Sisters Lemonade, Lyric, Harlow and Emery Gegolick donated all their tip money and 50 percent of their proceeds, ($100) from their lemonade stand will to Vegreville Christmas Bureau.

Overall, Gallien said, “The event went well. We received a truck load of toys besides the money people donated. The weather was perfect for it. It was a good turnout of people there and next year it will be better.”