(GARLAND ISD-December 26, 2012) Trading his sleigh for a motorcycle, Santa Claus made a special appearance earlier this month at Garland ISD’s Golden Meadows Elementary School. Saint Nick led 70 other bikers from the Curtis Culwell Center to the campus during the seventh-annual GISD Rolling Thunder Toy Run. And, the gang brought gifts to benefit not only Golden Meadows, but the entire district as well.
Dating back to 2006, Garland ISD’s toy run began as a conversation between two district employees.
“Larry Williams and I were talking about hobbies and how we enjoy riding Harleys,” explained Gaylon Garrison, Human Resources recruitment coordinator. “Somehow we got on the topic of toy runs that we had participated in and the possibility of starting one here at GISD.”
The inaugural ride led Santa and 60 other motorcyclists to Caldwell Elementary, one of the district’s Title 1 schools with a large low-income student body. There, they surprised students and staff with a special presentation. According to Garrison, GISD’s toy run received its name from the bikers’ unexpected arrival.
“Everyone is called into the gym but they don’t know who’s coming,” he said. “All they can hear—and feel—is the roar of the bikes’ engines. Rolling Thunder is also the name of the patented sound that Harley Davidsons make, so it’s an ode to Larry’s and my hobby.”
Upon arrival at the run’s destination, Williams drives the school principal into the gym, which erupts into cheers and applause at the sight of this different side to the campus leader. Santa also drives one of the school’s students into the gym, increasing the level of excitement. After a performance by the Rowlett High School drill team and the recognition of sponsors, students are given the opportunity to meet Santa and his motorcycle friends.
After a stroll through the parking lot where students and teachers check out the bikes, everyone is ushered back to classrooms where Rowlett’s drill team members deliver gifts. In 2006, sponsors donated money to give each Caldwell student a goodie bag. Since 2007, all toy run recipients have received books.
“We wanted to do everything we could to promote education,” commented Williams, who served for many years as director of Auxiliary Human Resources. “That’s why we involve Rowlett High. A lot of the elementary students haven’t had the opportunity to go to a high school campus or sporting event. We hope this inspires them.”
As the 2012 toy run beneficiary, Golden Meadows Principal Barbara McCain ordered different holiday-themed books—in both English and Spanish—for each grade level.
“We’re really pushing our accelerated reader program, so this was a big help,” she said. “We want our students to be avid and life-long readers. They were thrilled to receive the books. For many this might be the first one they personally own.”
But GISD’s Rolling Thunder Toy Run benefits more than the chosen school. Every toy the bikers bring is given to the district’s Counseling and Guidance Department to distribute to families in need.
Over the past seven years, 3,600 books have been gifted to students, 3,600 candy canes have also been distributed, and more than 700 bikers have donated almost 1,000 toys. Garrison and Williams say that they have no plans to stop the holiday tradition anytime soon.
“Our sponsors continue to be good to us,” commented Garrison. “As long as it’s something positive for the district, we’ll keep it going. Rolling Thunder also provides a good opportunity to bring people into our schools to show them how well run and maintained they are.”
“Just seeing the kid’s faces light up makes it all worth it,” commented Williams. “I’ve only received one negative comment, and it was that the ride was too short.”
The GISD Rolling Thunder Toy Run would like to thank its 2012 sponsors— America’s Credit Union, GISD Food Services, Nationwide Insurance, Texas Teachers, and 1st American Pension Services.
For information about becoming a 2013 sponsor, please contact Gaylon Garrison at ggarriso@garlandisd.net or Larry Williams at lawillia@garlandisd.net.
Submitted by Tiffany Graber, Garland Independent School District, Communications Specialist.
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