DANCER, PRANCER, HARLEY SANTA ROARS TO HOSPITAL IN MIST.

Byline: Lisa Mascaro Staff Writer

WOODLAND HILLS - A little rain didn't put a damper on the thunder of more than 500 motorcyclists on a mission Sunday to deliver thousands of toys to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles just in time for the holidays.

Jeff and Diane Simon got up at 5:30 a.m. to get onto their aqua Harley- Davidson in Simi Valley and then drive to Woodland Hills to join the parade along Ventura Boulevard to bring presents to the hospitalized children.

``If we can do this to make them feel a little bit better, it's done. Rain or shine,'' said Diane Simon.

The eighth annual event organized by Woodland Hills-based Funrise Toy Corp. drew bikers, firefighters in red trucks and police officers for the 20-mile parade along Ventura and Sunset boulevards to the Hollywood-area hospital.

Midmorning street traffic was blocked off as police escorted Santa leading the caravan. Churchgoers and others waved and honked in support.

Funrise CEO Arnie Rubin, whose company makes Tonka trucks and other toys, said the parade started as a way for his friends and him to combine their interest in riding with a desire to give to the community.

``It's grown from 25 of us in a pickup truck to this major event every year,'' said Rubin, himself a motorcycle rider, after he welcomed others to kickoff ceremonies at company headquarters. ``It's heartwarming to see those kids.''

The effort this year netted 35,000 to 50,000 toys. The company donated $100,000 in toys, and each participant in the ride gave at least one gift.

``That really is our biggest toy delivery,'' said hospital spokesman Steve Rutledge. ``That helps stock our toy room.''

Toys of every kind were set up around a holiday tree at the hospital. About 300 hospitalized kids and their siblings each got to pick a favorite. The remaining toys were kept at the hospital in line with policy to give one new toy each week to every child admitted there for treatment of illness and injuries.

Woodland Hills insurance and financial planner Todd Daniel got his second turn this year at filling in for Santa, donning his red suit and boarding his Harley-Davidson for the ride.

``It's awesome. It's just such a great thing,'' he said about the chance to be involved.

Van Nuys mom Jewell Morson, a company employee, brought her daughter so the 10-year-old would understand there are ill and injured children less fortunate than she is. ``I think it's important for the children to learn that at an early age,'' Morson said.

Santa Barbara-area residents Rebecca Griffin and Wayne Glenn arrived in Woodland Hills with a bunch of big, stuffed animals tacked on the back of his silver Harley-Davidson.

``We got teddy bears, monkeys, cows. We always do stuffed animals,'' Griffin said.

``If you're stuck in the hospital (and) this little guy crawls up next to you, you'll sleep,'' Glenn said about each of the soft fuzzy critters.

Diane, who has three children of her own, says the annual trip reminds each participating parent to ``thank your lucky stars you have healthy kids.''

``I've seen some of the biggest, baddest cry down there,'' Glenn said about his fellow riders, adding he wouldn't miss the annual event. ``We don't let the rain stop us.''

Lisa Mascaro, [phone]

lisa.mascaro(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Santa waves as motorcycle riders set out Sunday to deliver thousands of toys to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

(2) Alla Kramnik holds niece Melanie Bezinover as the 2-year-old pats a giant teddy bear being donated Sunday in Funrise Toy Corp.'s annual ride for hospitalized kids.

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer