According to Pappy "Bulldog" Lucero, "Santa rides a Harley."

The former Marine and Vietnam veteran, who owns Bulldog Cycle Shop near Olar, will be taking to his Harley this Saturday to help collect Christmas gifts for "Toys, Tots and Teens," the local American Red Cross chapter's program designed to ensure every child across the county gets a gift at Christmas.

"Toys, Tots and Teens" is the new name for the annual Christmas toy drive sponsored by the Bamberg County Chapter of the American Red Cross. All toys and gifts donated will be distributed to deserving Bamberg County youth when the event culminates a week before Christmas.

Bikers will be coming from across the region to take part in Saturday's ninth annual Swamp Dogs & Bulldog Cycles "Toys, Tots and Teens Run." Registration will be from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot in Bamberg and at the IGA in Allendale, Lucero said. One gift of a toy or a $10 donation will be collected from each rider participating.

"Riders will be coming from all directions, so we're giving them two places they can register to make it more convenient," Lucero said. "From there, we'll meet up in Ehrhardt, and then Santa Claus will lead the way and we'll head up to the cycle shop."

All toys and cash donations will be collected at Bulldog Cycles, and free food, soft drinks and music will be available.

"You don't have to ride a bike to come join in, and it's going to be 'G-Rated,'" Lucero said.

Lucero and other members of the Swamp Dogs Motorcycle Riders have been collecting used bicycles and fixing them up to donate to the "Toys, Tots and Teens" campaign, as well. New tires and tubes are put on, and the paint is redone, as needed.

Last August, Lucero and friends collected $500 in cash and approximately 50 toys for the campaign with about 50 bikers participating. More than 200 people turned out for the event.

For more information about Saturday's ride, call toll-free 1-877-368-8199 or visit bulldogcycles.org.

T&D Correspondent Minnie Miller can be reached by writing to her at 138 Nature's Trail, Bamberg, SC 29003. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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