Children, parents and grandparents watched outside the Volunteers of America Children's Center in Allentown as Santa Claus made his grand entrance by motorcycle.

About 700 bikers from across eastern Pennsylvania participated in the 30th annual toy run, Tom Seebald of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education, said of the Nov. 23 event.

Before taking the ride to the children's center to deliver gifts, the bikers gathered at Dorney Park, South Whitehall Township, for some coffee, doughnuts and music.

"This is my first time helping Santa Claus," Fred Standaert, of Hatboro, and member of the Blue Comet Motorcycle Club and Montgomery County Chapter of ABATE, said. "A couple members of the Lehigh County Chapter of ABATE asked me if I would help."

Debbie Brueckner, of Allentown, and Jeff Thomas, of Wind Gap, also spoke with The Press.

"This is my 10th year participating in the toy run," Brueckner said. "I do this because my children came to the children's center years ago."

Thomas said this was his first year participating in the toy run.

"A friend I work with, Mike Watras, got me involved," Thomas said. "When he told me it was for the kids, I was all for it."

Watras, of Mount Bethel, has been participating in the toy run for eight years.

"I wanted to do something for the kids," Watras said.

Betty Druckenmiller has been director of the Volunteers of America Children's Center since February.

"Volunteers of America has been serving people in Pennsylvania since 1896 and the center has been in existence since 1910," Druckenmiller said. "The center serves about 130 children. We mostly serve low-income families and children, 13 months of age through fifth grade."

To learn more about the children's center go to voapa.org/services/ Children-Youth-Families-Programs/TheChildrens-Center-Allentown.

For information on the Lehigh Valley Chapter of ABATE, visit lvabate.com.