Bikers, Firefighters Honor Fallen Comrade On 34th Annual Toy Run

HILLSBORO, OR — The sidewalk rumbled from the vibrations of more than 100 idling motorcycles around noon Nov. 18 at the Hillsboro Fire Department’s Ronler Acres Fire Station #3 as the mostly leathered crowd prepared to embark on the 34th annual Washington County ABATE - Stan Johnston Memorial Toy Run.

Moments earlier, some 200-plus bikers, their passengers and children, police, and firefighters held a moment of silence honoring the man who'd for the past several years helped bring together many of these same people in the interest of raising money and toys for kids and families around the holidays.

Hillsboro firefighter and paramedic Ryan Grimaldi began coordinating the Hillsboro Firefighters Random Acts Toy & Joy program shortly after taking a position with the city’s fire department in 2011 right up until his death the first week of November.

During a hunting trip in Eastern Oregon's Morrow County on Nov. 3, a falling tree struck and killed Grimaldi. He was 31 years old.

Following the moment of silence, Grimaldi’s longtime Toy & Joy partner, Paramedic/Engineer Dan King, offered a few words to express what the day’s events would mean to him — and what he expects it would have meant to Ryan.

“Ryan had a such a loving and giving heart … there’s no better way to honor someone like that than to just keep doing it,” King told the silent crowd. “Stan and Ryan — those kinds of people are really special; so, we’ll keep doing it for them.”

Stan Johnston, the toy run’s namesake, was one of three original ABATE members to start the toy run in 1983.

According to Washington County ABATE coordinator Paul Hering, Johnston — a World War II veteran — cared a great deal about helping children and he loved to ride. The toy run was a perfect combination of his passions, Hering said.

“Even in his 80s, he kept at it. (Johnston) just rode with a sidecar to help keep him steady,” he said. “His widow Dorothy kept riding (after Johnston’s death in 2004) for another four or five years until she also passed.”

For many, this year’s ride and fundraiser were particularly special. King, who will now coordinate the Toy & Joy program alone, said only 10 businesses and organizations participated and hosted toy donation barrels in 2016. In the last week since Grimaldi’s death, more than 20 businesses and organizations have requested toy barrels, he said. So many groups, in fact, the fire department ran out of the nearly 50 toy barrels they have.

“The response has been incredible — to be honest, more than we can handle,” King said. “It’s the best thing that could be done. No better way to honor Ryan than to keep giving — reflecting his personality in the community.”

Along with the draw to support the department after Grimaldi’s passing, ABATE’s organizers also made a greater effort to reach out through social media to the multitude of motorcycle organizations across the metro area and beyond.

“The turnout is a lot better — more new clubs are showing up,” Veta Holscher, ABATE’s social media queen, told Patch. “It took a year to get recognized.”

Traditional Toy Run participants like Brotherspeed, Alky Angels, and Bikers For Christ were this year joined by newcomers like the Teamster Horsemen of Portland and Vancouver, and the Eagle Riders of Cornelius — who formed just this year.

Altogether, the bikers help contribute toys to roughly 1,300 kids and raise more than $2,000 through raffles and donations.

Some folks not necessarily affiliated with any specific group arrived in cars with their kids, proving the event was expanding its boundaries to whomever wanted to participate.

“It’s a wonderful thing to share with children,” said ABATE organizer Lynn Reilly. “If they have to show up in cars to get here, so be it.”

Grimaldi’s loss had made a difference, Reilly explained, noting the greater turnout this year was an honor to the work he did.

“(The Toy Run) has gained momentum,” she said. “And hopefully we can keep that going.”

Grimaldi’s mother, Cheryl, and his brother Tony also spoke a few words prior to the ride through Hillsboro to the Elks Lodge.

“On behalf of the Grimaldi family, we thank you,” Cheryl said. “(Ryan) would be so humbled by this. Every year, he was so excited for the gratitude it brought to his heart.”

“It’s hard for me to articulate how thankful I am you all are here,” Tony said. “Thank you so much.”

All the toys collected will be held at the Elks Lodge, which will also continue to accept donations, until it distributes the toys as well as food baskets to families in-need Dec. 16.

For more information on how to donate or volunteer with the Elks this holiday season, call 503-648-1862, or visit the Elks' website at hillsboroelkslodge.com.

And to get in touch with Hillsboro Firefighters Random Acts, visit hfra.us.

Photos courtesy: Travis Loose, Patch News