The 13^th annual Motorcycle Toy Run was postponed due to rain this past weekend and has been rescheduled for this Sunday, Oct. 14. Hundreds of motorcyclists are expected to gather for the long, scenic ride through the Pinelands, united in a spirit of giving for families in need during the holidays.

All other details of the event remain unchanged: Registration begins 10:30 a.m. in the parking lot on Route 9 at Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin. The cost to register is $10 per rider, plus one new, unwrapped toy valued at $10 for a child in need – no plush toys or stuffed animals. (In particular, gifts are needed for teen boys and girls, ages 13 to 18.)

Entertainment and refreshments will be provided while participants meet, mingle and prepare for a 65-mile journey together.

At 12:30, the bikes will file out of the lot, onto Route 9 south, and proceed to Route 72 west. Motorcycle police escorts from Ocean, Monmouth, Atlantic and Burlington counties, plus the State Police, will accompany the run and control traffic at key intersections along the way. The ride concludes at St. Mary’s Parish Center on McKinley Avenue in Manahawkin, for lunch, music and camaraderie.

The Toy Run Foundation distributes the collected toys to families throughout Southern Ocean County; to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Family Protection Unit; to Operation Santa Claus at Fort Dix, for children of deployed soldiers; and to Community Medical Center in Toms River, with Santa and Mrs. Claus, in the pediatric, emergency and minor treatment units.

For more information, contact Toy Run founder and event organizer Dennis Jarin at 609-290-0587 or e-mail toyrun2002@aol.com. —V.L.

victorialassonde@thesandpaper.net