SANTA'S ANGELS BRING CHRISTMAS EARLY MOTORCYCLISTS DELIVER TOYS TO KIDS IN HOSPITAL.

Byline: Alex Dobuzinskis Staff Writer

Christmas arrived Sunday on thunderous two-wheelers, as some 700 motorcyclists rolled from Woodland Hills to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, bearing more than $100,000 worth of donated toys.

Children, hospital workers and parents waved small yellow flags as the motorcyclists rolled up Sunset Boulevard toward the medical center, escorted by firetrucks and police cars. Each of the bikers, some from as far away as Santa Barbara, had to donate a toy to participate.

Soon after the bikers' noisy arrival, the young patients filed through the lobby picking up hats, bubble-makers, stuffed animals and a variety of playthings - from toy motorcycles to coloring sets. Some of the children came in wheelchairs or hooked up to IV tubes.

``You come in here, and you see these kids with a positive attitude, with smiles on their faces, and you leave with a (new) perspective,'' said championship bodybuilder Mike ``The Zipper'' Sable, a participant in the event. ``When you walk out of here, you say, 'What troubles did I say I have? Because I no longer have them.'''

A caped magician, a barbershop quartet in red-and-white striped vests, black leather-clad motorcyclists and, of course, Santa Claus were all in attendance.

Toy Run for Kids, now in its 10th year, is the biggest event of the year for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. And the children being treated at the hospital talk about it long after the bikers ride away.

``They love the noise, they love seeing the riders and, believe it or not, Santa is after that,'' said Wendi Kellaris, manager of volunteer services at the hospital. ``There aren't too many other things where Santa takes a back seat or even second place.''

Zane Derweesh, 5, is asthmatic and came to the hospital for treatment of pneumonia. Zane has not been on a motorcycle, but he knows about two- wheelers.

``I ride bikes and, a little bit, scooters,'' he said.

The toy run started on Variel Avenue, at the home of Code 3 Collectibles and Funrise Toy Corp. The event's other sponsors included In-N-Out Burgers and the Toy Industry Foundation.

Although some of the bikers put stuffed animals on their motorcycles, the bulk of the toys were brought to the hospital in a trailer-truck that followed behind.

Arnie Rubin, president and CEO of Funrise, said that the event is ``one of those things that makes you be happy that you're in the toy business.''

Alex Dobuzinskis, [phone]

alex.dobuzinskis(at)dailynews.com

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2 photos

Photo:

(1) Motorcyclists makes their way under a giant American flag down Oxnard Street in Woodland Hills on Sunday, on their way to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles for the 10th annual Toy Run for Kids, sponsored by Code 3 Collectibles, Funrise Toy Corp., In-N-Out Burgers and the Toy Industry Foundation.

(2) Laureen Togh and Byron Ingram were two of the 700 motorcyclists who participated in Sunday's Toy Run for Kids. A large truck brought a bounty of toys for hospitalized kids.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer