Street Bikers United Maui Chapter (SBU MC) helps collect and distribute Christmas toys in support of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. SBU, Maui County’s largest toy collector, accepts unwrapped toys and monetary donations for the nonprofit, and this year they did not let the pandemic slow them down. “Toys for Tots began in 1947,” said Jackie Foster, SBU MC secretary. “Major Bill Hendricks and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. The 1947 campaign was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots and expanded it nationwide wherever a Marine Reserve Center was located. The initial objective remains the hallmark of the program today: bring the joy of Christmas to less fortunate children.”

Street Bikers United Hawaii (SBUH), a non-profit corporation, is on all islands. They are the state’s motorcyclists’ rights organization. Their agenda includes improving motorcycle safety through education, and motorist awareness. Today, SBUH continues to express motorcyclists’ interest and is the eyes, ears, and voice for the Hawaii motorcycle community.”

The SBU MC assists in local charitable events and community services throughout the year, as well as motorcycle safety training and rider awareness programs. “This 2020 Christmas, children are in extra need,” Foster noted. “Many families in Maui County are having a difficult time making ends meet. A portion of the money that we raised through car washes and generous donations went to purchasing bicycles and helmets for keiki of various ages, Tools 4 School, and our Covid Thanksgiving drive-thru meal event. Every year, our team drops off Toys for Tots Christmas donation boxes in Azeka shopping center and at various local businesses. Then, the toys collected go to the Salvation Army for their annual toy drive. We consider ourselves lucky to be part of such a wonderful community as Maui County. We have been blessed with charitable donations which have allowed us to be at least a small help during the Covid-19 outbreak. As always, we focus on our keiki and getting them what they may need.”