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Community Corner

Libertyville Cyclists Ride for Toys for Tots

George Garner Cyclery's "reindeer" rode through the rain to raise awareness for Toys for Tots.

's second annual Reindeer Ride began at 10 a.m. Saturday with faithful area cyclists mounting their bikes for a wet nine-mile ride through the surrounding area. 

“The first year we got snow, this year we got rain. What can you do?” ride leader Pete Murphy asked before the ride. “But it’s lightened up. It will be a little damp, but we’ll be good.”

“We’re going to go nine miles, one for each reindeer. That’s including Rudolph,” Murphy said.

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Murphy helped launch the ride last year with owner George Garner Jr. Murphy and Garner said the weather last year for their first ride kept participants to a minimum.

“Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t with us. We had only a faithful crew that made the ride. I’d say about a dozen people. But it was snowing pretty heavily,” Garner said.

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Despite the unpredictable winter weather, this year nine riders made the trek across Oak Spring Road, down St. Mary’s Road, and through southern Libertyville neighborhoods.

“We’ve ridden in the rain before on rides, so we’re prepared,” said rider Mary Tiegs of Libertyville. “It feels great to do this for Toys for Tots. We were coming regardless. We were going to ride up, bring a toy, and get our miles in for the day.”

Garner says that though he didn’t make a final count last year, the amount of toys collected exceeded his expectations.

“Obviously what matters to us is that we’re able to get some toys to kids that need it. That’s what it’s all about,” he said.

Riders were asked to bring a toy as their event donation. Participants received Toys for Tots T-shirts and refreshments inside the Milwaukee Avenue store.

All three  locations, Libertyville, Northbrook, and Lake Zurich, are drop-off sites for Toys for Tots. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 23.

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