JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Northeast Florida biker community came together for a toy drive Monday morning to donate to Wolfson Children's Hospital in honor of one of their own.
Around 1,000 toys were collected for Northeast Florida Biker Connection's 2nd annual Stuff the Trailer for Axe toy drive. Lanny "Axe" Wilson, who was a retired Nassau County firefighter, died during a children's charity ride two years ago. Now, his biker family is participating in the toy drive in his honor.
"He passed away two years ago on our last toy run," Sean Pelletier explained. He is the president of Locals M/C Clay County, a local motorcycle group. "Every year now it's in his name."
Pelletier said nearly all of the over 20 biker clubs in Northeast Florida, along with the motorcycle community, helped collect donations throughout the year.
"So far, this is the greatest year yet, on the second year we've had the biggest turnout ever," said Pelletier.
He added the group participates in charity work year-round, not just around the holidays.
"We do things for children if we find out a child has cancer, or if we find out one of our members has an issue or a problem with their home, things like that. We get together and we fix their problem we take care of anything that we possibly can," Pelletier added.
The toys and donations brought to Wolfson Children's Hospital on Monday go to children who need them most. Tessa Cook, a child life specialist at Wolfson Children's Hospital, said these donations are something hospital staff looks forward to every year to help children cope with being in a hospital setting.
"This donation is something that we utilize throughout the entire year for our children throughout the hospital," said Cook. "We try to help the children cope with the scary parts of being here. So when you are able to provide them a toy, and it puts a bright spot in their day, and their face lights up, it makes you feel warm and happy inside knowing that you made them happier."
Cook believes the donations were the largest the hospital will likely get this year.
"This is something that will last a long time for us," she added. "We're super, super appreciative of Biker Connection. They are an amazing group of guys."
