Riders hit the road last year at the start of the toy run, a 25-kilometer trek from Hemau, Germany, to a children’s hospital near Regensburg. (Rick Emert / Stars and Stripes file photo)
Up to 500 bikers will be taking to the streets of southeast Germany on Saturday for the annual Regensburg Toy Run.
Sponsored by The Protectors, a German-American biker club, the event puts hundreds of toys into the hands of cancer-stricken children at the St. Hedwig hospital in Regensburg, Germany.
The event begins at the Beratzhausen swimming pool at noon Saturday. On Saturday evening, additional events take place at the Beratzhausen pool.
Each of the bikers is encouraged to donate a couple of toys to children from the hospital’s cancer ward.
Additionally, the bikers put on a mini-festival for the children on the hospital grounds with games, food and refreshments, said Capt. Brian Chwojdak, intelligence officer for the Combat Maneuver Training Center’s Leader Development Center and also a member of The Protectors.
“We have events at the hospital and let the kids ride on the motorcycles,” Chwojdak said. “The goal is to give them a day of fun.”
This year’s toy run kicks off with a baptism for a baby born during last year’s toy run.
The event is open to the public, and anyone who wants to join the toy run is encouraged — but not required — to bring along a toy or two to donate, Chwojdak said.
“If they would like to, they can bring along a toy, or they can just come out with their families and enjoy the festivities,” he said.
A live band will perform and events include: a wienie bite contest, horseshoes, sumo wrestling and mud wrestling.
