Approximately 100 motorcycle riders form the Suffolk County Harley Davidson Doomstriker and Iron Sights clubs made their 8th Annual Holiday Motorcycle Ride to bring hundreds of toys and mountains of cheer to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park, NY here today.
The event started with a gathering of the riders at the Suffolk County Harley Davidson in Oakdale, NY where members packed hundreds of toys in the back of a trailer and headed east at approximately 11am. The group traveled along Sunrise Highway and Ocean Parkway, with a scenic view of the beach, before turning north toward the Ronald McDonald House, located in New Hyde Park, NY, arriving at approximately noon.
“It’s Christmastime and we want to make sure these kids are happy,” said Nicholas Nigro, Road Captain, Iron Sights Motorcycle Club. “Christmas is for the kids. If we can put a smile on their face, it’s worth it.”
Riders unloaded the trailers and brought the toys inside, where Santa Claus listened to the wishes of children and helped to distribute the presents. In addition, the group presented RMHC NYM with a check for more than $3,000 in donations.
“I’m really happy, and the kids have been looking forward to this,” said Ruta Zalage of Lithuania, who is staying at the Ronald McDonald House while her family while her son receives surgical care at Cohen Children's Hospital next door. “These events take your mind off the hospital and the surgeries and feeling unwell. I’m happy because the kids are happy.”
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) New York Metro keeps families seeking medical treatment for their sick children near the care they need and the families they love. In addition to operating its Ronald McDonald House in Nassau County, RMHC NYM operates two family rooms located at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and the Stony Brook Medicine Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It is currently fundraising to build a companion Ronald McDonald House in Suffolk County.