Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner probably doesn’t mind sharing top billing at the upcoming DuKane A.B.A.T.E. Toy and Food Run, because he is after all being upstaged by Santa Claus himself.
Rauner, an avid motorcyclist, will be making his second appearance in the large motorcycle parade — although his first as governor and not a candidate.
Judy Kaenel, president of the DuKane Chapter of A.B.A.T.E of Illinois, said after Rauner saw the “the number of motorcyclists with toys loaded down on their bikes, he sent his staff to buy more toys” last year.
In its 29th year, the Toy and Food Run will take place on Sunday starting in Elburn and traveling to the Batavia Veterans of Foreign Wars post on Route 25. The event, which will benefit 18 different local nonprofits, is organized by DuKane A.B.A.T.E., the motorcycle safety and rights organization.
The event is an opportunity for DuKane A.B.A.T.E. to impact the community’s perception of motorcyclists, Kaenel said.
“I believe there are several heroes in this event,” Kaenel said. “One is the charities who do wonderful work but sometimes are not well known. The other heroes are the motorcyclists and the community members who show up to help these charities.”
“Most motorcyclists will take the shirt off their back to help their fellow man,” she said.
Seeing big, burly motorcyclists dressed in leather tear up when handing the toys off at the conclusion of the parade is really something to see, Kaenel said.
In addition to the music lined up for the event, the post-race party will also include distribution of toys and food to 18 organizations that help the needy.
It is a chance to see thousands of people from all walks of life come together to help those in need, Terina Erbs. a long-time volunteer with St. Charles-based HELPS Ministry, said.
HELPS Ministry, which provides a food pantry and a shelter for needy individuals, has received items collected at the Toy and Food Run for the past seven years, Erbs said.
For the past three years, the HELPS Ministry pastor also has joined in with other motorcyclists for the parade from Elburn to Batavia.
Not a motorcyclist, Erbs instead will be providing face painting at the HELPS Ministry booth at the post-race event.
Deborah Anderson with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services foster care program has been volunteering at the toy run for the past 20 years.
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As one of the 18 agencies receiving donations, Anderson said her organization will distribute the items collected to foster families and other families in need in the northern Kane County area.
Calling it a great day of community spirit, Anderson said she has been on hand cheering the bikers on in all kinds of weather including freezing rain and frigid temperatures.
Among the local organizations which will be receiving help from the event are Mutual Ground Inc., FISH Food Pantry, Westside Church of Christ, DuPage County Community Services, Elburn Food Pantry, Hesed House, HELPS Ministry, HCS Family Services Food Pantry, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Elgin, Humanitarian Service Project, Between Friends Food Pantry, Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission, Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center, Aurora Soup Kitchen, Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and Fox Valley Christian Action.
Cathy Janek is a freelance writer for The Beacon-News
If You Go
What: DuKane A.B.A.T.E. 29th anniversary Toy and Food Run
When: 10:30 a.m. Sunday
Where: Parade route begins at North Street and Route 47 in Elburn and will go south to Main Street, continuing to Batavia via Nortwick and Wilson. The post-race party is at the Batavia VFW
How much: A $10 donation per person, plus an unwrapped new toy and/or a non-perishable food item. Motorcyclists and non-motorcyclists enjoy music, food vendors, and a custom bike show.
Information: http://www.abate-il.org/dukane/