Over 130 riders braved the rain on Sunday morning to take part in the Salvation Army Motorcycle Toy Run in Kelowna.

Dolls, puppets, construction sets, sports equipment and many other toys were donated Sunday in the parking at McCurdy corner.

Riders followed Santa Claus’s motorcycle sleigh all the way to Lake Country and back for a total hour-long ride.

"This is a big event for the Salvation Army Christmas blessing campaign," said Kim Burry, Christmas toy depot coordinator. "Every year we serve hundreds of families that need help at Christmas. Last year, we registered over 500 families and gave away over 1,100 toys, and we expect the need to be even higher this year.”

Event organizer Brendan Buttler said he has two little kids and couldn’t imagine them not having toys to wake up to on Christmas morning.

“This is our 32nd annual ride here in Kelowna and it will be here next year,” he said.

Salvation Army community co-ordinator Sonia Withers said the turnout this year was amazing.

“This year, it has grown which is really exciting to see,” she said. “This is an opportunity for us to kick off Christmas and start collecting toys for the kids.”

Cash donations are always helpful, added Withers, because it allows for the specific needs of families to be met.

To donate online, visit this link.