Henry County Enterprise
  • News
    • Community Calendar
    • State News
    • National News
  • Obituaries
  • eEnterprise
  • Classifieds
  • Spiritual
    • The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • Parabola
    • Southern Baptist
  • Classifieds
  • Contact
  • Login
  • Account
Subscribe For $2.50/Month
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Community Calendar
    • State News
    • National News
  • Obituaries
  • eEnterprise
  • Classifieds
  • Spiritual
    • The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • Parabola
    • Southern Baptist
  • Classifieds
  • Contact
  • Login
  • Account
No Result
View All Result
Henry County Enterprise
No Result
View All Result
Home Local News

Holcomb’s legacy lives on in annual Toy Run

November 12, 2021
in Local News
Reading Time: 2 mins read
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Email

By Callie Hietala

Richard “Big Bird” Holcomb will ride again, at least in spirit, when kickstands go up Saturday as the 29th annual Big Bird Toy Run gets underway. 

The run was created by Holcomb to benefit Christmas Cheer. He died in February. Four years ago, as Holcomb’s heath began to decline, he passed the baton to BTW21’s Chad Hall, who has only missed two of the rides since the event began. 

Hall said that Holcomb decided to do something to support Christmas Cheer because he realized how beneficial that program was to the community.

“He had a big heart for kids and people in need,” Hall said. Holcomb “saw a need in our community” and decided he could do something to help.

Hall said the ride has grown exponentially since it began nearly 30 years ago. This year, he expects anywhere from 175 to 275 bikers, cars, trucks, hot rods, and others to participate. 

On average, Hall said the event raises $12,000 to 15,000 for Martinsville and Henry County families in need. 

This year, Hall said, he wants to do the ride the same way Holcomb did, with just a few modifications. Registration will take place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Bird’s Cycle Shop, 6537 Greensboro Road in Ridgeway. Registration is $10 or one new toy. Kickstands go up promptly at 1 p.m. Riders will make their way through Martinsville, Collinsville, and Bassett, then down Koehler Road to the final stop at Sportlanes. 

Once there, riders may enjoy a meal, music from the band Madhouse, door prizes, and an auction that will include jewelry, Harley-Davidson apparel, furniture, and some unique items donated to the cause. Community members are invited and encouraged to pay the $10 admission fee at Sportlanes to join in the fun, food, and festivities, even if they do not want to ride. 

Once the auction is done, Hall said he will “turn Madhouse loose and let the party roll.”

None of this would not be happening if Holcomb hadn’t organized that first ride in 1992. 

“He raised a lot of money and did a lot of good,” Hall said. His legacy will live on in this year’s ride, in all the years of rides still to come, and in the smiles of children who have new toys under the Christmas tree thanks to the efforts of Christmas Cheer and Big Bird’s Toy Run.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Email
ShareTweetPin
Previous Post

Student struck by car to lead Christmas parade

Next Post

Ordinance to adopt agreement approved

Next Post
Ordinance to adopt agreement approved

Ordinance to adopt agreement approved

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join Our Newsletter

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Community Calendar
    • State News
    • National News
  • Obituaries
  • eEnterprise
  • Classifieds
  • Spiritual
    • The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • Parabola
    • Southern Baptist
  • Classifieds
  • Contact
  • Login
  • Account

© 2020 Mountain Media, LLC

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Email

Forgot your password?

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with link to set new password.

Back to login

Add Henry County Enterprise to your Homescreen!

Add