Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007 | 1:16 a.m.
It was a mosaic of leather and reindeer antler headbands, tattoos, more leather and Santa hats as Third Street filled up with motorcycles and riders.
More than 100 riders rallied for Hogs & Heifers Saloon's third annual Miracle on Third Street Toys for Tots Run last Sunday morning.
Hogs and Heifers owner Michelle Dell has fundraisers throughout the year for various causes, so these events come naturally.
"I don't feed, clothe, house, heal, cure but certainly I provide a much needed release for many people," said Dell, who donned Harley-Davidson riding pants, a red T-shirt reading "got love?" and reindeer antlers. "Many people find family in my establishment. I provide jobs, but at the end of the day I feel a really strong need to find a way to give back to my community."
Don "Santa Don" Brickner, center, and the leathered masses climbed onto their bikes and roared through downtown Las Vegas to Sunrise Children's Hospital.
At the hospital bikers emptied toys from a fleet of trucks into the auditorium, where, instead of dropping the toys and riding home, leather-clad bikers mingled with young cancer patients and their families for several hours. Santa Don visited with nearly 200 children and Hogs staff and volunteers helped the children select gifts from the spread of donated toys.
"It's very close to my heart," said Brickner, who pulls Santa duty throughout the season but particularly enjoys the bar's ride.
"I've been on a lot of Toys for Tots motorcycle runs and this is the only one where we go in and give the gifts to the kids. You get to see the smiles on their faces when they get that toy they really wanted and Mom and Dad can't afford it because their child is sick."
Many of the young patients are facing life-threatening illnesses, so Brickner is touched when he sees a familiar face.
"When I see a kid that was there the year before it really touches my heart knowing that they got to see another Christmas."
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