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Published on Monday, 01 August 2011 14:59

Written by Pete

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The Wings of Gold Motorcycle Club in nearing it's 25th year.  In that time we have grown from one chapter in Fort Lauderdale to  6 Chapters in Florida.  Apart  from enjoying our love for motorcycles and the rewards that come from being a member of an MC that believes in and embraces the brotherhood that comes with it, we give back to the kids in our community.  Our annual "Toys in the Sun Run" raises money for the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital.  Here is the history of this massive event;


In 1987, the Toy Run had its start and at that time everyone was doing a toy drive, Veterans, Police, Motorcycle Clubs, Kiwanis, etc.  Bob Amchir, being President of Wings of Gold Motorcycle Club, got everyone together to have one big toy drive.  The first year netted $965 cash and a little over 500 toys.  There were about 700 motorcycles participating in the first event.

 

Since the very first Toy Run, it has steadily grown to massive proportions.  It takes over 32 Motorcycle Clubs and Organizations to make this event happen.  Over 30,000 motorcycles participate in this event each year and it is with the help of all police agencies, 22 Departments and 230 Officers, to close down three interstate highways and ensure a safe motorcade.  There are over 150 police motor officers, as well as cars and PSA Personnel.  Sheriff Ken Jenne coordinates all the Departments with his Bro ward County Officers and motors to ensure the safety of this huge event, being even bigger than the annual boat parade.  Sheriff Jenne has even been Grand Marshal of the bike parade for the past several years.  The parade begins at the Pompano Harness Track in Pompano Beach, Florida.  The motorcycles travel 26 miles in length to bro ward County Markham Park.  It takes approximately three hours to get all the cycles to the end of the ride.

There are several rides for the kids, face painting, over 100 vendors selling everything from leather to boots to jewelry to sunglasses and more, a food court with a variety of foods to suit everyone, a huge bike show and entertainment throughout the day, plus much, much more.

Since the inception of the Annual SFPC Christmas Toys in the Sun Run, over $20 million in toys have been collected and handled by the Fraternal Order of Police and then distributed in four counties.  The money raised from this event has exceeded the $6 million mark and we only ask the bikers for a $10 donation and a new unwrapped toy.  Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation is one of our main beneficiaries.  The new Pediatric Trauma Center at Hollywood Memorial will be the first in the world to honor all motorcyclists in South Florida.  For a $1 million pledge it will have the SFPC (South Florida President’s Council of Motorcycle Clubs & Organizations) and Harley Davidson logos on a plaque on the main wall listing all the Motorcycle Clubs and Organizations by name.  To contact Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, call Jackie Johnstone at the Foundation (954-985-3454).  They will give you all the information on Bob Amchir and the SFPC and their commitment to the children.

This Toy Run being so vast, in the past 20 years it has not only given millions of dollars in toys to needy children and money to the Hospital, but has also donated over $120,000 to COPS Kids (Concerns of Police Survivors).  Just last year, Shott Memorial received $7,000, North bro ward Hospital District received $25,000, Old Age bro ward County received $3,500, bro ward County Parks and Recreation received $15,000.  In addition, Children’s Health Foundation received $2,500, Boys & Girls Clubs received $160,000 and so on.  That’s over $200,000 in additional Toy Run donations.  Not only does this yearly Toy Run help thousands of children, but adults as well.  Part of our donation also benefit Cystic Fibrosis, Juvenile Diabetes, Cancer, Pre-Natal and much more.  Because of our commitment to our community it is a huge undertaking not only for the health and well being, but have reached wonderful and humane goals.

An event such as this grows larger and larger each year, not only for the participants, but for everyone involved in the organization process.  People from all over, New York, Boston, Detroit, California, Texas, etc, are beginning to attend.  Much of our success goes to the bikers themselves.

People who help out and can really make an impact on our Toy Run can only be thanked and appreciated by God and all the children.  This is by far the largest motorcade in the world.  I wish we could raise more money than the California Love Ride, but we ask for a lot less entry donation because we are bigger in bikers, not the money.  Maybe someday if the right people see and participate in our Toy Run, we too will be publicly thanked.

The Miami Chapter is currently working with the Ronald McDonald House and the Miami Children's Hospital to start a local benefit run of own for these two great organizations.  It's a lot of work to run these events but the rewards are boundless! 

If you want to get to know us better pass by our clubhouse and ask to speak with any of our officers.

Wings of Gold MC Miami Chapter Clubhouse
12150 SW 132 Court Bay #212
Miami, FL 33186