BIKERS' GROUP HEADS IN FROM THE HIGHWAY WITH GIFTS FOR THE NEEDY.

Byline: Paul O'Donoghue Staff Writer

Nary a reindeer nor a sleigh was in sight Sunday when the roar of Harley Davidson motorcycles announced the arrival of some 150 motorcycle club members bearing gifts for needy children and Vietnam vets.

Clad in leather, his long beard flowing in the breeze, Mickey Jones, 58, the grand marshal of the caravan, led the bikers in a raucous chorus of ``We Wish You a Merry Christmas'' outside Interface headquarters, a nonprofit that provides services for abused and neglected women, children and the homeless.

As he sang, Jones, a towering figure, clutched his donation, a huge, cuddly yellow Flounder from ``The Little Mermaid'' that matched the yellow trim of his Harley.

``If this lights up some little kid a little more, I like that. This is just a fun thing to do for the kids, man. Also it's the right thing,'' said Jones, an actor and Simi Valley resident.

``This is just a little thing to make 'em know we care about them, kids and Vietnam veterans.''

Sunday marked the 14th year the bikers - members of the Ventura County chapter of A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education, a nationwide philanthropic club - donated toys and other gifts for the underprivileged.

Some of the gifts were strapped to fuel tanks and seats, others bulged from saddle bags as the bikers pulled up in front of Interface's Del Norte Road office.

The hundreds of donated toys ranged from teddy bears and Barbie dolls to full-size basketballs and footballs, as well as boogie boards, and model soldiers and motorcycles that were put into storage for the children.

Maureen Miller, Interface's head of Volunteer Services, said none of the approximately 2,500 children or their parents were present, so they wouldn't be embarrassed.

Case workers determine from talking to the parents and older children what they want for the holiday season and try to match their requests with what's available, Miller said.

``All of the gifts are unwrapped, so the parents can give them to their children as their own. It gives them a sense of pride,'' Miller said.

``We don't want to take their dignity away from them, because these may be people who are in this situation temporarily. Hopefully, next year will be a brighter future for them, and they won't need us.''

The bikers traveled from Seaside Park in Ventura, where about 800 motorcycle enthusiasts gathered from across the state Saturday for an annual festival that featured seven bands and a huge barbecue.

To get into the festival, each biker had to donate at least one toy for children or something for homeless Vietnam vets such as toiletries or clothing, said Jones, a great-grandfather who has appeared in TV and movie productions ranging from ``Home Improvement'' to ``Sling Blade.''

The bikers, about 15 of whom are also members of a separate club called the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club, U.S.A., consisted mostly of men, with a sprinkling of women. Interface workers and volunteers clapped, cheered and hugged the bikers, some of whom wore Santa hats, as they filed into the storeroom to donate their gifts to the nonprofit that serves the entire county.

The emotion got to ABATE member Vivian Helton, 50, who wiped tears from her eyes.

``I was raised that you get more out of life when you give,'' said Helton, a hairdresser from Ventura. ``And the bikers are very giving, loving people, I know.''

Miller said the bikers' donations are greatly appreciated.

``It was very sweet and very warm and came from the heart,'' Miller said.

``It makes the whole holiday season worthwhile because this is what it's all about. It's all about kids.''

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Photo

PHOTO (color in Conejo edition only) Blue, left, and Pharaoh show off some of the gifts ABATE is donating to the needy, through the Interface family services organization.