Riders waved and gave peace signs as they headed out on the Toys 4 Tots Motorcycle Run on Saturday morning. The event has been raising donations for organizations like Heart to Heart for the past 32 years.

MARSHALL — You could hear the motors rumbling well before the line of motorcycles appeared over the crest of a hill on Lyon County Road 9. People riding dozens of motorcycles, and even one sports car, were all headed out for a ride and a purpose.

The Southwest Minnesota Toys 4 Tots Motorcycle Run hit the road Saturday morning to help raise money and toy donations for area Christmas charities like Heart to Heart of Lyon County.

“It’s still for a good cause,” said Roger Pottratz, one of the motorcyclists taking part in the motorcycle run.

Heart to Heart helps provide families with gifts, and boxes of food to prepare a holiday meal. Toys 4 Tots ride organizers said 100% of donations would go toward Heart to Heart and similar organizations in the area.

The Toys 4 Tots run has been a summer tradition for 32 years now, organizers said. Riders start from Amiret, on routes that take them around the Marshall area. After a toy drop-off in Marshall, this year’s ride took participants to stops in Wood Lake, Seaforth, Lamberton and Tracy. The ride wrapped up in Balaton with events like a live auction.

Some of the people riding in the Toys 4 Tots Run had been taking part in the event for years.

“We try to hit every one,” said Marshall resident Tim Coudron. He said he usually liked to get together with friends or family members to enjoy the ride. Besides the chance to meet up with friends, Coudron said what kept him coming back was “The cause, for the kids.”

Pottratz said he was going on the Toys 4 Tots Run for the first time in about 10 years. “I used to be on the committee,” he said. The ride carried some good memories, especially in years when turnout was high. When there was a long line of bikes headed down the highway together, “It used to be pretty neat,” he said.

It didn’t seem like there were as many younger motorcyclists these days, Pottratz said. However, that didn’t mean there weren’t younger generations taking part in this year’s Toys 4 Tots run. Pottratz’s granddaughter Briella was going to ride with him.

Some of the people gathered in Amiret for the start of the run weren’t motorcyclists, but they were still happy to see riders turn out for a cause.

“I think it’s absolutely great,” said Rev. Lori VonHoltum. VonHoltum was there to give the blessing at the start of the ride. “It’s a good way to start out the day,” she said.