CEO Chat

On Behalf of the Children...a Message of Thanks

January 2008

Jim Shmerling, DHA, FACHE, President and CEO of The Children's Hospital

In 1985, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts approached The Children’s Hospital with a simple giving idea: they proposed riding their motorcycles to Children’s during the holiday season to bestow a little cheer and good will on our young patients and their families who found themselves away from home and in the hospital during this important time of year. Hospital leadership at that time embraced the idea. Thus, a precious relationship and the Harley Toy Ride were born.

All these years later, The Children’s Hospital and the Harley Riders (as the original group came to be known) recently celebrated completion of the 22nd installment of this remarkable event. During those 22 consecutive years, the Harley Riders – bedecked in joyful variations on a holiday theme – have provided tens of thousands of toys and goodies to thousands of children and their grateful families. They have found themselves honored in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest continuous motorcycle procession. During this 22-year period, they have engaged more than 20,000 riders in the cause. Most importantly, however, they have year after year provided the simple gifts of remembering and caring for those young people among us in need.

This year, the first year the Harley Riders brought their own brand of caring to The new Children’s Hospital, tragedy struck the Toy Ride. One of the riders sustained serious injuries when he lost control of his motorcycle along the Toy Ride route. The entire Children’s Hospital family of caregivers is heartbroken over this tragedy and continues to send the rider’s family our heartfelt thoughts and prayers along with our support in helping yet another child in need – the son he has left behind. Throughout the years, we have shared with all of you the joy and laughter this marvelous event brings to the children entrusted to our care. This year, know that we share your grief, as well.

For more than two decades, the Harley Riders have given their time, effort and resources to the cause of children. Simple Gifts. We at The Children’s Hospital can never repay the Harley Riders for the Toy Ride they originally envisioned and have now delivered through snow and cold and sunshine for 22 years. What we can do is give our sincere, heartfelt thanks – the kind of thanks best reflected in the eyes of a happy child on Toy Ride day.

All of us here at The Children’s Hospital extend our deepest appreciation for your longstanding commitment to the children. We honor your dedication and look forward to many more years of partnership.

With warm regards,