From atop the antique fire truck, Santa Claus stood up, raised his hands and 545 motorcycles started and revved their engines! An exhilarating sound of unity and purpose for the launch of the 41st annual 2024 Reno County Toy Run Sunday afternoon. Beautifully sunny and warm weather added to the feeling of camaraderie as new, unwrapped toys and cash funds were donated for local families in need. In all, more than 1,400 toys were donated to the Salvation Army who will distribute them to families and to Reno County First Call for Help Teen Christmas. Line up for the parade began early in the morning at Salty Cycles who provided coffee and donuts and opened their store for anyone who needed riding gear. For the first time this year, employees of Dunham School Services stuffed a bus with toys and raised more than $1,000 to give to the Toy Run. After the Hutchinson Police motorcycle escort, a semi-truck led the parade as it pulled a trailer full of bicycles to be given to children for Christmas. 

A live auction was held and raised $5,500 which allows the Reno County Toy Run to give funds to First Call for Help, Salvation Army, the Boys and Girls Club of Hutchinson, Haven and Pretty Prairie Christmas and organizations in small towns in Reno County. One of the live auction items was a 1987 Super Magna Honda donated by Salty Cycles with no reserve. The Guardians of the Children, Salt City Chapter also had a 50/50 fund raiser. Bretz Injury Law Office served breakfast burritos the morning of the ride and held a giveaway for participants. 

The parade started at Salty Cycles, 129 E. Sherman and Poplar, with motorcycles of all shapes and sizes lined up five to six wide across and filling two city blocks back to Main Street. There were toys strapped to the back of the motorcycles and some stuffed animals strapped onto the back of riders! All along the parade route, people waved as the motorcyclists rode through Hutchinson, ending at the Moose Lodge #982, 1401 E. First Avenue and Lorraine Street. Participants brought their toys into the lodge and a huge toy pile was formed on the stage. Then they could purchase a bowl of chili and get their auction bid number. 

"On behalf of the Reno County Toy Run, I want to extend a heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who made this year's event such a remarkable success," said Reno County Toy Run treasurer Chelsey Myrick, "to the incredible committee members who put countless hours of hard work and dedication into making everything run smoothly—thank you for your tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to this cause."