Despite cold, snow, the run is on
By ROBERT CORDOVA
“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night” will keep the Pueblo Bikers United from riding in their annual Toy Run.
On Saturday Dec. 6, the 48th Annual Toy Run event will start from South High School’s parking lot with kick stands up at 11 a.m. and proceed through town ending at Centennial High School. Entry fee is one dollar and a toy.
Before this week’s snow storm, organizers estimated a thousand motorcycles would make the run, but regardless of the turnout, the show will go on.
To understand why so many motorcyclists choose to ride in December’s 40-degree weather, the answer lies in the Toy Run’s origins. Back in 1978, a group of bikers realized there was a need to collect toys for the less fortunate, said John “JT” Trujillo.
A little snow will not deter them from collecting the Christmas gifts that many in the community have come to count on.
Trujillo recalls the very first meeting attended by Abe “Lobo” Montoya, Fred “Frisky” Carillo, Danny “Loco” Tafoya, Abel “Lobo” Montoya, Pano Estrada, Bonnie (unknown last name), and himself. The agenda was to create a motorcycle toy run to benefit children of the community’s less fortunate families. According to the Pueblo Bikers United history, “This original group of bikers, envisioned a Christmas Toy Run where bikers collect and distribute toys to the needy children.”
In December of 1978, the very first toy run had an estimated 25 motorcycles. Police blocked Main Street so the bikers could travel in the opposite direction to their destination. The group felt excited to pay if forward to the children who were less fortunate. JT recalls at the end of the procession heading to the Grove Bar to reminisce about the day.
After three years of success, the toy run was established as a community service event. At the five-year mark, this group was known as “Pueblo Bikers United.” The PBU group understood the need for toys and did not forget children with disabilities and special needs. Throughout the years, they understood the importance of sponsors and volunteers. To date, not one individual in the PBU family has received pay for these amazing events.
PBU Event Coordinator Monica Trujillo-Martinez collaborates with multiple agencies to ensure that both toys and monetary donations are distributed through the appropriate channels. PBU IT Coordinator Cruz Martinez is a vital part of creating avenues online so companies and individuals can donate.
As the years passed, the attendance grew. In 1980, the bikers challenged the law enforcement community to a friendly football game that became known as the Toy Bowl. Their goal was to improve their relationship with the police.
That first year began with several bikers playing in wallet chains, jeans, and sneakers. As the years passed, jerseys and proper football equipment were added. Most Toy Bowls have been played at Dutch Clark Stadium. Games have also been hosted at Pueblo County High School and, for several years to the present, at the Colorado State University Pueblo Thunderbowl.
PBU’s former guarterback, James Ortega, recalls hanging out at Bruno’s Bar where he was asked to tryout for the PBU team. In 1985, he became a member of the team and was the starting quarterback. That year the Bikers won the game, and James was the MVP passing for one touchdown and running for two more. Other biker standout players included Mike Cisneros and JT Trujillo who played defense. In 1996, Pueblo Firefighter Tim Trujillo tried out for the Pueblo Police Team due to the fact he played in a flag football league at Stauter Field. He was a running back and corner back and says the games were competitive. He enjoyed playing knowing the game was raising money for the kids in our community.
James and Tim remember both teams jokingly accusing each other of flawed recruitment — bikers claimed some players were not police officers, while the police said some bikers didn’t own motorcycles. They all agreed it was fun banter and they were making memories they would never forget.
Mike and JT are extremely proud of the Toy Bowl. Mike’s daughter Amanda is known for beginning the games by singing the National Anthem. Mike and Leah Bobchak create programs for the Toy Bowl and Toy Run. It has sponsors, memorials, and pictures of the events. In Pueblo, the long history of famous football rivalries such as the Bell Game, the Cannon Game, now includes the Toy Bowl.
Throughout the years, both events evolved to a fine oiled machine. The process of distribution and collecting toys for kids begins in the fall. The PBU staff place a dozen huge boxes at designated businesses to collect toys.
On Saturday, there will be trucks to load the toys that will then be sorted by gender and age. The nonprofit agencies shop with the list to fill gaps in the donated toys. Each agency is responsible for delivering toys to the recipients.
The pay off for this army of volunteers comes when they are riding through Pueblo streets in their procession and seeing children waving with big smiles on their faces. JT said he thanks the Lord for their successes and decent weather through the years. Only during Covid have the Toy Run and Toy Bowl been cancelled. Only twice in all the decades, has it snowed on the toy runs.
As a precaution, the PBU group respectfully asks that no bikers throw candy during the procession out of fear a child chasing candy onto the roadway could get struck or cause a motorcycle to stop or swerve suddenly and causing a chain-reaction of accidents.
JT and his wife, Ramona “Munchie” Trujillo, mourn the loss of many of the original organizers, but believe they are present in spirit. They take pride knowing a small group of bikers in the Steel City created the longest running and one of the largest toy runs in the nation.
Mike and his wife, Mary Cisneros, are proud motorcyclists come from all over the country, and it is marked on most bikers’ calendars. Everyone who owns a motorcycle is welcomed. United by the cause, the result has been that motorcycle clubs have never caused any issues or concerns during this long standing events.
Krush Herrera, of Albuquerque, N.M., is one of the out-of-state bikers to who came to Pueblo in 2024. He said, he was blown away with the warm welcome his family received in Pueblo.
“We were treated like family,” Herrera said. He also was surprised that a city the size of Pueblo had a toy run larger than the one in Albuquerque.
In addition to their own families, Mike and JT expressed gratitude to the community volunteers who have come out to help year after year. They want to thank all the sponsors, agencies, and volunteers past and present.
Remember, when you hear a motorcycle coming down the road, give them a friendly wave because more often than not, they have given back to their community.
For information about distribution of toys, go to Pueblo Bikers United Inc. FaceBook page. Monetary donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 1, Pueblo, CO, 81002.
I remember Granillo and his wife, who lived across the street from me, would participate in this, each on his/her own bike.