Port Alberni, British Columbia, where charity knows no bounds
By Renee “Belt Drive Betty” Charbonneau
Port Alberni, British Columbia is located on Vancouver Island. This deep port community of 17,000+ people is also a community of huge hearts working to fill great needs. 
Nestled between the mountains and the ocean, Port Alberni is home to one of the hardest working toy run committees that you have ever come across, not mention some stellar riding.
To a person, the people who host the Port Alberni Toy Run, work long hours to ensure that not only do the children of their region get a Christmas, they ensure that their teens get breakfast and that First Night, Easter, Halloween are all special times for ALL of the children whose parents will let them partake.
Today people line the streets with signs thanking the riders for helping their community; it wasn’t always that way. These motorcycle riding folks had lots of fears to overcome, but through dogged persistence and HUGE passion, which is the hallmark of many a rider, they have won over the city and it’s regions residents.
Attending their toy run with the 1,400 or so others who join in leaves one with a pretty overwhelming sense of pride and belonging… there are no words to explain adequately how one’s heart swells.
When you see the children of their community at the toy run after party doing crafts, having a hot dog, drinking a lemonade and mingling with the people who are there to help them, it’s pretty incredible. 
If you get a chance go to YouTube and watch the 2 episodes that I filmed for TV, words can not come close to expressing why Port Alberni is an amazing community and deserve to hold the Title, Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community of the 2016 riding season and our reigning champion. The hold that title until the 2017 champion is announced on May 31st 2018. 
