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Harley bikers play Santa Claus

Fullerton bikers donate toys to young patients at UCLA Med Center

By Ben Gilmore

An immense man dressed in leather and a blue bandana scowled quietly while holding a small stuffed lion.

A child sat on a motorcycle shyly staring up at the owner of the bike while Credence Clearwater Revival's "Born on the Bayou" blasted from a radio.

Such scenes were not uncommon on Sunday as a group of Harley-Davidson bikers from Fullerton caravaned to the UCLA Medical Center, where they donated toys for the fifth straight year to the UCLA Child Life Program for seriously ill children.

The crew of about 60 bikers arrived at around 10 a.m. at the dropoff area near LeConte and Tiverton Avenues, accompanied by a large truck containing the toys. Staff from the hospital program had children patients meet the bikers and play on their Harleys.

Jim Fortier, known as "Wolfman" to his Harley comrades, said this was the highlight of the event. "Getting to see the kids is the best part," he said.

Joyce Chance, who is a member of the biker group, organized the toy drive in memory of her late son Johnny Baker, who received cancer treatment at the UCLA Medical Center.

Chance said that she and the other members view the toy drive as a family event. "Harley riders all support each other. They're like family," she explained. "I called them up and told them I wanted to do this and it's gotten bigger every year."

Bringing everything from Chutes and Ladders to teddy bears, the Fullerton group also donates toys in Orange County, Fortier said.

Participants said that events like these help change the stereotypical image of bikers as mean and dangerous men with "Mama Didn't Love Me" tatoos.

"People have to realize that bikers are just like any other people, they just like to ride bikes. Even Hells' Angels have toy runs," said Pauline Assarian, head of the Fullerton Ladies of Harley, the female wing of the chapter.

Others members added that people often forget bikers have normal lives outside of biking.

"Biking is our passion, it keeps us young. Five days a week, we do whatever we do. We all have jobs. But on the weekends we bike," Tom Hartmann explained.

This weekend the group gave the kids toys and much more.

A Harley was even brought up to the medical center for young patients to ride in the hallways. The action met with approval by the center's staff. "I thought it was great" volunteer Sylvia Tejedo said.

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