With the siren blaring and lights flashing, a Northampton Police SUV pulled out of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4714 onto Laubach Avenue Nov. 2, followed by an Escalade, and more than 200 motorcycles on a mission to St. Luke's Hospital's pediatric unit.

Once onto Route 329, the police escort stayed back as the gleaming chrome handled motorcycles and their riders, with a cargo of toys, wound their way through the area, across the Hill to Hill Bridge in Bethlehem and onto tree-lined streets to St. Luke's University Network, Fountain Hill.

From pirate-themed toys to dolls, the toys donated numbered in the hundreds. Dubbed Toys for Tucker and named after a cyclist who died in an accident a couple of years ago, the run is held in his memory to brighten the lives of the small girls and boys who are patients at the hospital's pediatric unit.

Rick Nauman and Tricia Brown, who organized the run for the third year, were taken aback by the large number of bikers who showed up for the event. Initially it was thought 50 riders would arrive with toys and money so the hospital could purchase toys.

However, as noon approached, the number grew to 100. As the day progressed, the number swelled to more than 200 motorcycles and their riders, some with two seated on the bikes.

The VFW Northampton Post 4714 is a partner for the event to benefit the children.

A hospital pediatric supervisor said the following Monday the new toys – many of which were expensive – will be stored away to be distributed closer to Christmas.

The supervisor added some of the toys may be distributed earlier to children returning to their homes.

The unit averages approximately 12 children, and the number of patients rises as flu season begins.

Last year the bikers traveled to the pediatric unit and handed out the gifts, something the pediatric supervisor said will be considered again next year.

In the event of a more than an ample supply of toys, some will be given to other families with children in need.

A family consisting of two sisters and a nephew from Massachusetts and Maine visited Northampton in memory of their relative, Tucker, for the event.