VALDOSTA, Ga. — Motorcyclist braved the humidity and July heat to donate toys for Toys for Tots Saturday.

Hosted by Toys for Tots and the Azalea City Church of God Wheel Warriors Motorcycles Ministry, bikers donated new, unwrapped toys including dolls, Nerf guns, footballs and board games.

The motorcycle ride is a part of Toys for Tots campaign after toys were stolen Memorial Day weekend, said Lisa Hayden, local coordinator for Toys for Tots.

The ride was the idea of Joe Copeland, president of the Azalea City Church of God Wheel Warriors Motorcycles Ministry, Hayden said. She had posted on Facebook looking for ideas to raise new toys for Christmas, and about a month ago, Copeland reached out to her with the idea of having a bike ride.

Copeland wouldn’t take credit for being an instrument that rallied the community together for Toys for Tots.

“It’s awesome,” he said about being a part of the ride. “But it’s not me, it’s God doing all this. He’s the one who laid it on my heart when I seen the post. It hasn’t done nothing but snowball since, and it’s going to be a yearly event. We are going to do it every year now.”

For members of the community looking to raise funds or donate toys, residents can go toysfortots.org to submit a donation or residents can reach out to Hayden, (229) 563-5885. 

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1257.