Final Ride for Toy Run

When Rick Nauman started Tucker’s Toy Run, he had little knowledge of what it took to organize a fundraiser.

He’s preparing for the last edition of the event to bring another batch of smiles and 5,000-plus toys to pediatric patients at St. Luke's Children's Hospital.

Nauman expects around 1,000 motorcycle riders to participate in the 15th and final Tucker’s Toy Run when it takes place Saturday, Nov. 1 (rain date of Sunday, Nov. 2), delivering toys to St. Luke's Bethlehem Campus in Fountain Hill. The growth of the event brings pride to Nauman, who started it to honor the life of Tucker Stuart. Stuart died in a motorcycle accident in 2011.

“We never knew how to do any of this stuff,” Nauman said of starting Tucker’s Toy Run. “Now it’s hands-down the biggest motorcycle ride in the Lehigh Valley. I hope we have inspired people to take a chance to do something if they feel like they want to be able to give back to the community.

“You have to trip and stumble a couple of times before you land on your feet. But it’s a feel-good thing.”

Nauman recalled about 60 motorcycles participating in the inaugural Tucker’s Toy Run in 2011. He and a small group of volunteers have spent the past 15 years expanding the event to the point where they annually raffle off a Harley-Davidson.

St. Luke's Children's Hospital has received 60,000-plus toys over the length of Tucker’s Toy Run. Each year the toys are distributed to pediatric patients at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital plus other campuses and outpatient locations.

“St. Luke’s is profoundly grateful for the support Tucker’s Toy Run has provided over the years,” said St. Luke's Bethlehem Campus President Wendy Lazo. “Being admitted to the hospital can be overwhelming for anyone, especially a child. These gifts make the children feel comfortable and their experience a little less scary.”

Nauman is hoping for a dry, warm weather for the final Tucker’s Toy Run. The better the weather, the better the turnout from the local motorcycle community and for those who wish to cheer on the riders along their route.

No matter how many riders turn out Nov. 1, Nauman is looking forward to the final ride to St. Luke's Children's Hospital.

“When we see the smiles on the kids’ faces and the staff at the hospital and everything, it’s going to be an emotional day for me for sure,” Nauman said. “It’s going to be hard to walk away from it.

“I just hope people will remember everything we’ve done for the hospital.”