The 15th annual Tucker’s Toy Run Nov. 1 delivered thousands of toys to the St. Luke’s pediatric unit in its final year of existence. About 800 to 900 bikers made their final trek from the Tri-Boro Sportsmen Club in Northampton through several municipalities ending at the St. Luke’s Bethlehem campus in Fountain Hill. A large trailer and small bus were packed with toys donated by the participants.

Over the 15 years, the event has raised $550,000 and delivered over 60,000 toys, which are handed out to pediatric patients at various St. Luke’s facilities, according to organizer Rick Nauman.

Riders come from the greater Lehigh Valley, eastern Pennsylvania and other states. Tara Kessler says she rode 180 miles from Virginia to participate. “I hope that we’ve inspired somebody else to do something,” says Kessler.

Nauman has coordinated Tucker’s Toy Ride with pediatrics patient care manager Patricia Gubich for years. Gubich, says she’s “happy and sad” that the initiative has come to an end. “I’m happy that they’ve supported us for 15 years and sad that it’s the final run,” she says.

Rider Lori Harter from Northampton agreed. “This charity is the best charity and we love doing it every year,” she says, noting she has participated in at least 12 of them.

“It’s a big undertaking,” says Nauman, who became emotional while addressing everyone present. “It’s emotional and it’s bittersweet,” he added. “The biker community is phenomenal,” he says.

While hundreds of bikers milled around enjoying beverages and snacks served by volunteers at St. Luke’s, others unloaded thousands of toys into carts and cribs.

“We/re going to miss it,” said father and daughter bikers Brianna Necessary and Dave Heffner from Catasauqua and Slatington. “This was father and daughter bonding for us.”

Wendy Lazo, president of the St. Luke’s University Health Network Bethlehem campus, marveled at the impact and level of participation from the biker community. “I have no words,” said Lazo, “this is absolutely incredible.”

Tucker’s Toy Run has operated under the umbrella of the non-profit Lehigh Valley Community Benefit. The organization has provided assistance to people in need, public safety agencies and others through its fundraising efforts, which include a Harley-Davidson motorcycle raffle done in conjunction with the run.

Nauman began the toy run in memory of his friend Tucker Stuart, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2011. Tucker’s Toy Run has grown from an initial 60 or so motorcycles into the highly impactful support provided by nearly 1,000 motorcycle riders.