<\/p>\n
When Rick Nauman started Tucker\u2019s Toy Run, he had little knowledge of organizing a fundraiser.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s preparing for the last edition of the event to bring another batch of smiles and 5,000-plus toys to pediatric patients at St. Luke\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital.<\/p>\n
Nauman expects around 1,000 motorcycle riders to participate in the 15th and final Tucker\u2019s Toy Run when it takes place Saturday, Nov. 1 (rain date of Sunday, Nov. 2), delivering toys to St. Luke\u2019s Bethlehem Campus in Fountain Hill. The growth of the event brings pride to Nauman, who started it to honor the life of Tucker Stuart. Stuart died in a motorcycle accident in 2011.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe never knew how to do any of this stuff,\u201d Nauman said of starting Tucker\u2019s Toy Run. \u201cNow it\u2019s hands-down the biggest motorcycle ride in the Lehigh Valley. I hope we have inspired people to take a chance to do something if they feel like they want to be able to give back to the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to trip and stumble a couple of times before you land on your feet. But it\u2019s a feel-good thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nauman recalled about 60 motorcycles participating in the inaugural Tucker\u2019s Toy Run in 2011. He and a small group of volunteers have spent the past 15 years expanding the event to the point where they annually raffle off a Harley-Davidson.<\/p>\n
St. Luke\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital has received 60,000-plus toys over the length of Tucker\u2019s Toy Run. Each year the toys are distributed to pediatric patients at St. Luke\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital plus other campuses and outpatient locations.<\/p>\n
\u201cSt. Luke\u2019s is profoundly grateful for the support Tucker\u2019s Toy Run has provided over the years,\u201d said St. Luke\u2019s Bethlehem Campus President Wendy Lazo. \u201cBeing admitted to the hospital can be overwhelming for anyone, especially a child. These gifts make the children feel comfortable and their experience a little less scary.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nauman is hoping for a dry, warm weather for the final Tucker\u2019s Toy Run. The better the weather, the better the turnout from the local motorcycle community and for those who wish to cheer on the riders along their route.<\/p>\n
No matter how many riders turn out Nov. 1, Nauman is looking forward to the final ride to St. Luke\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we see the smiles on the kids\u2019 faces and the staff at the hospital and everything, it\u2019s going to be an emotional day for me for sure,\u201d Nauman said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be hard to walk away from it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just hope people will remember everything we\u2019ve done for the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n
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