10/08/2026
Here is the feedback we received about what people liked and disliked about the Toy Run. We discussed these comments at our last meeting, and the answers to your questions, along with the feedback we received, are written below.
Personally, I think we could’ve made a lot more money on the larger priced items because there were some things that range between 500 and 1000. We could’ve made a couple hundred on them. Just have the starting bid around $10 and let it go up from there.
We have tried this in the past and it did not go well people that bid on an item that they wanted stared out so low, so we did not make much money at all. Also most people thought that we were just looking for more money from them.
I like the idea of the ticket to get you door prizes, but what if we had one membership ticket that automatically get you entered in the door prize and then an alternative type of game day ticket that the can be purchased.
Sorry I am not sure just what you mean. Are you asking for two different types of draws for prizes? You can buy as any membership tickets that you want.
I found a lot some people I’ve spoken to didn’t really understand what the full toy run was about and did not know that the public was welcome to attend the dinner so I’m wondering if we might look at different ways of promoting and everyone welcome. Come meet Santa Claus kind of thing.
We have always welcomed anyone who wanted to attend; and have said it on our posts.
Any ideas are more than welcome.
I want to thank all of you for yesterday. We definitely made the best of a sh*tty situation.
Alstan you made the right choice with Traffic. No reason to break the rules for 30 bikes.
I thought the band was great.
Maybe for prizes next year just draw names and match to numbers of prizes on a big board might speed things up that way.
The reason why we do it this way is to give the band a break.
I felt terrible for Salmo Fire. They definitely need a huge shout out as well. Save on rules definitely they need a huge shout out.
We are trying to do a different approach to this one. We are thinking about pre buying your meal ticket during registration and this way the Salmo FF have a general idea of how many they will serve.
Everyone was safe and no major issues. So that's a win and most important.
Unfortunately Mother Nature had a different idea for us. There was nothing that we could do; we just made the best of it.
Maybe you could get one of the local motels to give a good deal on accommodations. The ride over the pass at 8:00 am is quite challenging in bad weather. Then there’s the ride back…
I would prefer to spend the night before and night of somewhere warm, dry and safe.
Just a thought for those of us on the other side of that mountain…
We are working on this for next year.
As an outsider who used to go to the complex every year for dinner the food trucks just take away from the “community” of the event.
Don’t get me wrong. I love Kaos kitchen and of course they are a family that have been here for years. I wanted to support them. BUT….
We used to stand in line for dinner, talk to a stranger beside us. The servers took huge pride in being there. The meals were decent. Then afterwards we would dance and the cooking team would often join us. We loved dancing with anyone that would join.
Yes, we do agree with you but the Complex has changed their rules we have to use whoever runs the food concession for one. The second is that we do not have anyone who wants to cater this event. Third those that sort of stepped up to do it want to charge you at least $30.00 each. We did not want think that anyone wanted to pay this amount for a simple meal, like spaghetti, garlic bread and Caesar salad (just an example).
Last year we got our food at the truck, ate and barely talked to anyone outside our group. We went home and didn’t even dance one dance.
If one couple starts dancing more people will come and dance. No one wants to be the first thou.
This year we decided coming wasn’t worth it. Those that attended did have a fun time.
I think you need to figure out the younger Demographic and what they want. Ways to draw in the new crowd.
Any ideas on how too get the younger generation to come out?
We did have new riders day to come out and ride with us; and we do want to do this again next year. We had 8 people show up and they just wanted to go for a ride which was fine with us.
We don’t ride bikes anymore but I assume the weather was a big factor.
Just an outsider’s perspective.
I love it as is, I think it's just a matter of finding ways to promote it outside out area a bit more, but not sure of the solution.
Any ideas are more than welcome.
I've always thought that after Rossland it'd be nicer to finish over the Strawberry pass though. We have come up with this as well but, it is a major highway and unfortunately we cannot tie up traffic.
The Complex room can be a little challenging to hear folks talk just due to acoustics, but that's a pretty minor thing. Maybe we can use a mic next year. We do agree on the acoustics and do find it challenging to hear.
Great selection of prizes this year though, and only the most diehard riders came out to brave the rain! Kind of made it fun in its own way. Obviously we'd get better turnout with dry weather, but nothing we can control.
Do you have to be 19 years or older to buy a membership ticket? No anyone can purchase a membership ticket.
Organize a ride from Castlegar/Nelson....ride to Nelson/Castlegar.....draw for the bike end of story! No Alcohol risk, less work, still is able to donate cash. Make it Simple.
The reason people like this ride is because they get to go somewhere, not just 50 km. We get to ride together and make new friends, meet up with old friends at these stops.
We need an earlier ride when the weather is awesome. First week of August and not having the dinner is absolutely disappointing, breaking bread is how people come together and have a great time sitting with strangers or people we only see once a year on the ride.
The only thing that we can think of with this is everyone is so busy and lots of people are having their holidays. The weekend that we do it everyone is back home, kids are in school, their lives are back to normal.
Then have drinks and dance. Maybe we could help out doing more fundraisers for those things if money is the issue.
Money is the issue. Also we only have a handful of volunteers and we all have to take on more responsibilities.
We need more people to be able to go out and solicit for donations.
Local companies should also come on board donating diners etc. we ride for local charities and people, so they can help out too once a year. Just my opinion.
Every time we turn around it is just costing us more and more money; plus we have so many more jumps to go through and every year there is just something else to deal with.
The West Kootenay Toy Run has been giving back to our communities for years, helping support local families, food banks, Christmas food hampers, student bursaries, and other worthwhile causes. But we can't keep doing it alone.
We need more people, more helping hands, and more fresh ideas! The more volunteers we have, the more we can accomplish and the more we can give back to the communities we care about.
We know everyone is busy, and volunteering may not be at the top of your list. But here's the thing: you don't have to ride a motorcycle, and you don't have to attend every meeting!
We meet just once a month, on the first Tuesday, for about an hour. That's it! Come out, share your ideas, lend a hand where you can, and help us keep this amazing organization going.
We need people who care about their communities and want to make a difference. You don't have to do it all. Every person who steps up makes a difference!
Here's the hard truth: without more volunteers stepping up, we may have to fold. And if that happens, our communities will lose an organization that has spent decades giving back and helping those who need it most.
Do we really want to see that happen?
