Skip to main content

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 committed to making better health easier for the more than 1 million people it serves. Founded more than 100 years ago by Abigail Geisinger, the system now includes 10 hospital campuses, a health plan with more than half a million members, a research institute and the Geisinger College of Health Sciences, which includes schools of medicine, nursing and graduate education. With more than 25,000 employees and 1,700+ employed physicians, Geisinger boosts its hometown economies in Pennsylvania by billions of dollars annually. Learn more at geisinger.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

 
Members of the N.E. Federation of Clubs and Geisinger members accept a major toy donation for the holidays.
Members of the N.E. Federation of Clubs met representatives of the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Auxiliary recently at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre to delivery toys for the Auxiliary’s Morning with Santa event on Dec. 7. Pictured, from left, are Federation of Clubs officers Tim Lester and John O’Brien, Federation of Clubs President Nero Padilla, Santa (Federation member Tom Tito), Geisinger Senior Foodservice Director and Federation member Steve Cerullo, attorney and Federation member Chris Slusser, Auxiliary members Donna Connery and Joanie Hine, and Federation of Clubs Secretary Joanne Moore.
N.E. Federation of Clubs members arrive at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre to drop off a massive toy donation.
More than 125 motorcyclists traveled from various Pennsylvania counties to donate toys to Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre. The toys will be given to local children during the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Auxiliary’s annual Morning with Santa event in December.
Members of the N.E. Federation of Clubs enjoy a meal after donating toys to Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre.
N.E. Federation of Clubs members line up to eat after delivering toys to Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre.