Serving the High Plains

Motorcycle riders deliver food, toys to Ministry of Hope

link Santa Claus (Larry McClure) places a sack of donated

clothing into a shopping cart Saturday at the

Ministry of Hope. Don Daniels (left) carries another

sack that was collected by the American Legion

Riders Chapter 15 and the Eagles 3526 Riders and donated to the MOH.

By Thomas Garcia

QCS Senior Writer

The American Legion Riders Chapter 15 and the Eagles 3526 Riders made their fifth annual food and toy run on Saturday delivering 716 pounds of food and 178 pounds of clothing to the Ministry of Hope In Tucumcari.

“Without the help of organizations like the Legion and Eagles riders, we would not be able to help as many families in need as we do during the holidays,” said Doyle Frazier, Minstry of Hope’s director.

Frazier said the rider’s donation on Saturday included 19 turkeys, 11 chickens, 37 hams as well as canned and boxed foods.

This donation, he said, along with a recent donation of 75 turkeys from the Eastern New Mexico Food Bank will aid the ministry greatly in efforts to feed the 1,080 families that are eligible to receive food from the ministry in Tucumcari and Quay County.

Chapter 15 and the Eagles 3526 riders have been collecting food, clothing and toys for five years.

“It is part of our chapters’ initiatives to help out those in need,” said Debbie McClure, Chapter 15 president.

McClure said the ride got a late start this year, ut over all both organizations were happy with what we they were able to collect and donate this year.

Fraizer said the MOH has been very fortunate to have such generous and caring organizations work with them to provide those in need with food and clothing. He said during Thanksgiving the Salvation Army purchased 100 turkeys which was distributed to local families.

On Dec. 7, Logan Legion Riders teamed with motorcyclists in Tucumcari for their annual Toy Run, which delivered about 20 boxes of donated toys to the Turquoise Health and Wellness facility in Tucumcari from VFW Post 2528. “Scooter” Yoakum and Steve Gutierrez of Tucumcari, organized the Toy Run.