Motorcycle enthusiasts deliver toys to Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The roar of motorcycle engines stood in for the jingling of sleigh bells recently when more than 125 riders donated toys to the South Wilkes-Barre community.
Members of the N.E. Federation of Clubs, an association comprised of regional motorcycle clubs, coordinated with the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Auxiliary to make a donation that will benefit local children during the auxiliary’s annual Morning with Santa event on Dec. 7.
The federation members traveled from various Pennsylvania counties to gather at North American Warhorse in Dunmore and ended their benefit ride with a Santa Claus-like delivery at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre. The riders even came complete with their own Santa, federation member Tom Tito.
Auxiliary member Donna Connery said the sound of incoming motorcycles brings tears to her eyes at the annual event.
“We’re so grateful for their support,” Connery said of the federation. “Every year, it gets bigger and bigger.”
Federation of Clubs Secretary Joanne Moore was instrumental in organizing the donation.
“It’s great to see such a diverse group get together for a common goal,” Moore said. “The generosity is overwhelming.”
Federation of Clubs President Nero Padilla expressed his appreciation for the group’s effort as well.
“People tend to judge a book by its cover when it comes to motorcycle clubs,” Padilla said. “These folks are more than enthusiastic year after year, and that shows their heart. I’m super proud of them.”
That heart will turn into smiles on Dec. 7 when those toys find a new home with deserving children.
About Geisinger
Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 126 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses — and Geisinger Health Plan, with more than half a million members in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With 26,000 employees, including 1,700 employed physicians, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $15 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger became the first member of Risant Health, a new nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
