Some photos that might be of interest.
Toys for Tots 2
Toys For Tots Motorcycle Ride
Ctleathernecks are the motorcycle group who recently attended our first Toys for Tots ride and escorted the honored WW2 vets in the Marine Corps Hummer provided by the recruiters in Westfield.
The Republican Newspaper - Minutes before noon on Sunday, near the outdoor pavilion at the Veterans' Administration hospital, a low rumbling sound filled the air. The noise grew louder. Around the corner of a building, a police car came into view. Then came a motorcycle. Followed by another. Then another. And another. The motorcycles kept coming. And as they rode into the parking lot, Alexander Palka watched along with several fellow veterans who live there.
"This is nice," said Palka, who lived in the Thorndike neighborhood of Palmer. "It's very impressive."
More than 200 motorcyclists participated in the benefit ride organized to benefit Toys for Tots and the Marines Helping Marines program, according to Aldo Mancini, Sergeant at Arms for the Westfield River Valley Detachment 141 of the Marine Corps League, which organized Sunday's ride.
Riders donated $10 each and a toy, Mancini said. The money benefited Marines Helping Marines. The toys went to Toys for Tots. The event was the kick off for the annual Toys for Tots drive, according to Brian P. Dupree, Senior Vice commandant for the Westfield River Valley Detachment 141.
The ride began at Alexander's Restaurant in Agawam. From there, riders went to the Veterans' Administration hospital in Northampton and Soldiers' Home in Holyoke.
Navy veteran Frank Pignatare of Agawam was one of the riders who took part in Sunday's event. "I'm a veteran and I appreciate what these guys have done for us," he said. "These are our heroes right here."
