Holiday Motorcycle Ride revs up cheer to families at Ronald McDonald House Charities

About 100 motorcycle riders from the Suffolk County Harley Davidson Doomstriker and Iron Sights clubs made their eighth annual Holiday Motorcycle Ride on Saturday, Dec. 7, delivering hundreds of toys and plenty of cheer to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park. 

Beginning with a gathering of the riders at the Suffolk County Harley Davidson in Oakdale, where members packed hundreds of toys in the back of a trailer, the group then traveled east along Sunrise Highway and Ocean Parkway, before turning north toward the Ronald McDonald House. 

“It’s Christmastime, and we want to make sure these kids are happy,” said Nicholas Nigro, road captain of the Iron Sights Motorcycle Club. “Christmas is for the kids. If we can put a smile on their face, it’s worth it.” 

Riders unloaded the trailers and brought the toys inside, where Santa Claus listened to the wishes of children and helped to distribute the presents. The group also presented Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro with a check for more than $3,000 in donations. 

“I’m really happy, and the kids have been looking forward to this,” said Ruta Zalage of Lithuania, who is staying at the Ronald McDonald House with her family while her son receives surgical care at Cohen Children’s Hospital next door. “These events take your mind off the hospital and the surgeries and feeling unwell. I’m happy because the kids are happy.”  Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro, which keeps families seeking medical treatment for their sick children near the care they need, is currently fundraising to build a companion Ronald McDonald House in Suffolk County.

For more information, visit www.rmhcnym.org/.