Rolling Thunder Toy Run

01/04/2026

As holiday dust settles, we want to show our GRATITUDE to every rider, supporter, and volunteer who showed up for the 2025 Rolling Thunder Toy Run. Because you shared the love, hundreds of kids woke up with gifts under the tree this Christmas as we supported The Salvation Army Toy Drive with nearly $46,000 in donated toys and cash.

That’s what brotherhood, sisterhood, and horsepower with a purpose looks like.
Save the date: 🏍️ November 1, 2026 — we’re firing it back up and riding again.

We wish each and every one of you a safe and happy 2026 — keep the rubber down and the shiny side up. 😎

11/26/2025

We are thankful for the Man Who Lit the Fuse🔥 — Lenny Stowers

This Thanksgiving, we’re giving a loud, throttle-wide THANK YOU to Lenny Stowers, the guy who fired up this whole Rolling Thunder Toy Run back in 1987. When most folks were just talking about helping kids, Lenny hopped on his bike, gathered a few brothers, and made it happen.
From blizzards… to store closures… to changing locations… to COVID — none of it ever slowed him down. Whether the run was four bikes deep or 2,000 strong, Lenny kept the mission clear and simple:
“All about the kids.”
For 23 years he held the run at Toys R Us. When that chapter closed, he took it right back to where it all began next to the old Family Toy Warehouse, partnering with Walmart and filling that corner lot with pure thunder and pure heart. Riders followed him every step of the way — because they knew the need was real.
Thanks to Lenny’s dedication, the first Sunday of every November the air shakes with the rumble of bikes loaded with toys, fire trucks and police clearing the way, and a community cheering us on. Thousands of toys, endless smiles, and a brotherhood/sisterhood united for the kids of Licking County.
So today, as we count our blessings, we give thanks for the man who sparked it all.
⚡ Thank you, Lenny.
For the vision, the grit, and the heart.
For showing us that real thunder comes from giving.
And for inspiring us to ride for something bigger than ourselves. 🏍️❤️🔥

Please share your stories and pictures of Rolling Thunder Toy Run from "Back in the day"!

11/11/2025

Check out this great article from The Reporting Project about the Run on Nov. 2nd!

https://www.thereportingproject.org/38th-annual-rolling-thunder-toy-run-brings-big-hearted-bikers-from-all-over-ohio/

TheReportingProject.org is the nonprofit news organization of the Denison University Journalism Program, covering Licking County, Ohio, and neighboring regions.

The Reporting Project focuses on nonfiction storytelling that is about our place, our part of the “missing middle” of the country – its people, politics, culture, health, science and environment, and more.

On Nov. 2, hundreds of bikers spent over $22,000 on toys in Walmart and collected $3,800 in cash donations and checks to ensure kids across Licking County wake up to a wonderful Christmas morning.

11/09/2025

🎄 HEARTFELT MOMENT FROM THE TOY RUN 🏍️💝 From Sarah Bolen post on our page— a memory that reminds us what this ride is all about:

A rider from West Virginia got separated from the group and pulled over to ask which way they went. As we pointed him in the right direction, he noticed how excited my daughter was about the giant stuffed puppy strapped to his bike. Without hesitation, he unstrapped it, handed it to her, and wished her a Merry Christmas.
He told us he’d never forget the joy on her face. Turns out, he also donated two bikes that were loaded on a truck in the parade.
So blessed to have met such a generous man with a heart as big as his ride. 💙

From Rolling Thunder team...Well done! It's why we do what we do!

11/08/2025

🎄🔥 ROLLING THUNDER TOY RUN 2025 — Cue the rumble… results are in!
💥 Toy Donation Value: $32,000 (yep, we eyeballed it — and it was a mountain of joy!)
💥 Cash Donations: $14,000 (used to supplement the season!)
🎅🏍️ SHOUT OUT to our big-hearted biker elves who made the magic happen:
• 827 Motorcycles (2 & 3 wheels) counted on 21st Street
• 17 Vehicles + 2 trailers bursting with toys
• 10 Law and fire units keeping it safe and loud
• Walmart parking lot? More like biker central — roughly 1,200 and it was one hell of a sight.🚚💫

Special thanks to the confused but chill Aldi’s delivery driver (in background of picture) who got stuck in the parking lot at Walmart — hope you enjoyed the show, brother! If anyone chatted with him, we wanna know what he thought of our toy-fueled takeover!

🎁💪 You all brought the thunder, the toys, and the love. Kids across the county are gonna feel it this holiday season.
Ride hard. Give big. Repeat. 🔥

11/03/2025

You brought the thunder. 🏍️💥 Now we want to see it through your lens!

📸 Shoot us your best pics — we’ll post ‘em in the 2025 album and keep that Rolling Thunder spirit alive.
(Photos only, folks — videos eat up too much space on our end 😉)

11/02/2025

Blown away doesn’t even cover it. 🤯🏍️
The turnout for the Rolling Thunder Toy Run was insane — riders rolled in from all over Ohio and maybe even beyond!
We wanna know — where’d you ride in from?
Drop your hometown in the comments and let’s see just how far the thunder rolled today! 👇

11/02/2025

WOWEEE! What. A. Ride. 🏍️💥
The biker family showed up and showed out today for the Rolling Thunder Toy Run — throttle wide open, hearts even bigger. ❤️

You all brought the rumble and the reason — making sure a ton of local kids are gonna have a Christmas to remember. 🎁🎅
Saying “thanks” doesn’t cut it. You made it loud, proud, and full of heart — the way bikers do. 💪
We’ll post the final toy and cash totals once the Salvation Army finishes counting the mountain you dropped off. Stay tuned — and keep that thunder rolling. ⚡

11/02/2025

Let’s get ready to rumble!
Leaving Walmart in a few minutes!

11/02/2025

Rev those engines — it’s a perfect day for the Rolling Thunder Toy Run!🏍️💥

Last year, over 1,000 bikes rumbled in the parking lot… think we can top it this year? 🎁🔥

👀 Spectators Welcome!
Line the route, cheer the riders, and catch the show! Safe family viewing spots are marked — stay off SR79 for your safety.

⚠️ Traffic Alert: Parade kicks off at 1:00 PM — expect delays, and give our bikers some room to roll!

Let’s make some thunder and give these kids a Christmas to remember! 🎄❤️