300 Bikers to Kick-start Annual Drexel Toy Drive with 10-Mile Ride through Philadelphia -- Rain or Shine
--Drexel University
What: Three-hundred members of the Philly Cheesesteak Motorcycle Club will kick-start the seventh annual Drexel Toy Drive with a 10-mile ride through Philadelphia called the "Dragon Toy Run." The run will begin on Drexel's University City main campus, follow West River Drive and Kelly Drive and finish at Drexel's Center City Hahnemann campus. Dressed as The Jolly Ole Elf, complete with a big bag full of toys, Phil Anderson, the Cheesesteak Club's founding father, will lead the run and hand out toys to children gathered at the end of the run. Led by police escort, the bikers will each ride with a gift they will donate to the toy drive that culminates with a gala celebration at the University's Main Building on December 18. The toys will be donated to nearly 30 charitable groups in West and North Philadelphia. Visuals: 300 motorcycles gathered on 33rd Street between Market and Chestnut streets ... the holiday-themed decorations on the motorcycles ... Santa leading the run ... Children receiving gifts from Santa ... When: Saturday, November 22, 2003 Depart University City @ 10:30 a.m. Begin arriving Center City @ 11:15 a.m. Where: Begins at 33rd and Market streets (at the dragon sculpture) Ends at 15th & Vine streets (at New College Building's Geary Auditorium) Route: For news media wishing to follow the run -- From Market St., head east on 33rd Street to Spring Garden Street and turn right. Cross Spring Garden Street Bridge, complete a circle around Eakin's Oval and enter West River Drive. Turn right onto Falls Bridge and right again onto Kelly Drive. Make half-circle around Eakin's Oval and proceed to Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Logan Circle. Bear left onto Race, cross 16th Street and park at Gateway Garage, 15th and Vine streets.