Latasha Ford/The Tifton Gazette Pictured is a crowd of bikers on U.S. Highway 82 when the local Freedom Seekers Motorcycle Club kicked off their 13th annual Tifton Toy Run last year. They were escorted by officers with the Tifton Police Department.

The local Freedom Seekers Motorcycle Club will be kicking off their 14th annual Tifton Toy Run at 11 a.m. Dec. 7 at Tifton Harley-Davidson. Participants will meet at the clubhouse following the ride for refreshments, and there will be a door prize drawing for those who bring a donation.

Approximately 130 bikers from as far as Alabama, Atlanta, Macon and Columbus came out to participate in last year’s ride. These bikers consisted of members with several organizations, including those with the local club and other Freedom Seekers Motorcycle Club chapters — there are four in the state of Georgia.

At last year’s event, Greg Nelson, president of the local club, told The Tifton Gazette, “We welcome the general public. They help out the most. We’re here to bring the community together, to enjoy life and do a good cause and make people smile.”

For 14 years, Freedom Seekers have been giving out new, unwrapped toys to local children who are in need. Usually in September, they begin gathering a list of names from local schools of those students age nine or 10 and below who are in need. Once they have those names, the students’ parents are then contacted.

The parents are informed about the toy drive and are invited to attend the Tifton Toy Run Christmas Party, where their child will receive a bag of toys, meet Santa Claus, enjoy a free meal and “have a good time.” This year’s party will be held Dec. 19 (by invitation only) at the Leroy Rogers Senior Center.

Nelson said they were able to give out three gifts each to 65 local children last year.

He said last year’s group of children were very excited. One of the club members, David Griner, dressed up like Santa Claus.

“We want to make some kids happy, and this is our way of giving to them. It’s nice to see them have something,” Nelson said.

Anyone can still donate toys by dropping them off at Tifton H-D from now until Dec. 7.

To contact reporter Latasha Ford, call 382-4321.