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The Grinch, Steve Mullin, shakes hands with Santa, William Darnell, before the start of the ride. Darnell and his wife organized the ride. (KERA WIllIAMS/Special to the Standard-Examiner)

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Brian Wilholte and his wife, Delaine, donate toys and sign in for the second annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride. (KERA WIllIAMS/Special to the Standard-Examiner)

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Steve Harker donates toys for the second annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride in layton on Saturday, October 12, 2013.(KERA WIllIAMS/Special to the Standard-Examiner)

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The second annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride in layton on Saturday, October 12, 2013.(KERA WIllIAMS/Special to the Standard-Examiner)

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William Darnell, dressed as Santa as the event organizer, leads motorcyclists on the second annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride in layton on Saturday, October 12, 2013.(KERA WIllIAMS/Special to the Standard-Examiner)

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The 2nd Annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride in Layton on Saturday, October 12, 2013. (KERA WILLIAMS/ Special to the Standard-Examiner)

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William Darnell, dressed as Santa the the event organizer, leads motorcyclists on the 2nd Annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride in Layton on Saturday, October 12, 2013. (KERA WILLIAMS/ Special to the Standard-Examiner)

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LAYTON — Motorcycles, leather, doughnuts, coffee and toys were in great abundance Saturday morning.

Local motorcyclists, many on their last ride of the season, arrived in force to help Toys for Tots gather playthings for disadvantaged children.

This is the second annual event hosted by William and Dawn Darnell.

Riders met in the parking lot of Standard Plumbing in Layton, then rode over Trapper’s Loop, through Eden and Ogden Canyon. Their ride ended at the Business Depot Ogden, where a live band was featured, as well as lunch and a raffle.

To be included, people merely needed a bike and a toy.

William Darnell dressed in a Santa suit, hoping to show what the ride was all about for him.

“This is about Christmas and about helping disadvantaged kids,” he said.

Dawn Darnell helped pass out doughnuts, coffee and orange juice as riders arrived and also took pictures of her husband and another rider wearing a Grinch costume.

She said her husband talked with Toys for Tots organizers last year and shared his idea of having a ride to gather donations.

The event was every bit as successful last year’s, but as William Darnell watched riders pulling into the parking lot, he said, “I want more, I want more.”

Dawn Darnell said her husband spent time in an orphanage as a child, so this event has touched his heart.

“He knows what it’s like to go without,” she said.

Tony and Adell Mierzejewski, of Layton, couldn’t stop smiling before the ride. They said it was their first organized ride since purchasing a bike in May.

“This is our first motorcycle event ride, and we like to help out with a charity,” Adell Mierzejewski said.

Tony Mierzejewski heard about the event from a bike shop in Salt Lake City.

He and his wife each brought a toy for the event.

Charlie Holland, a member of the Wasatch Utility Riders, heard about the event through his club. He said he enjoys organized rides, but especially enjoyed participating in this event because it was for charity.

The Taylor resident enjoyed seeing friends trickle into the event.

“We are all kind of friends in one way or another because we all have something in common with our bikes,” Holland said.

Elizabeth Caldwell doesn’t ride, but as a friend of the Darnells, she came to help. “They have put a lot of time and effort into the event,” she said. “I think it is just awesome.”

A small trailer held boxes with toys like scooters, action figures, crayon sets and Barbies.

Dawn Darnell said she was impressed by the number of riders that had come out — about 70 bikes, many with two riders aboard. Fathers and sons, couples and some solo riders listened with reverence as a Catholic priest offered a prayer and as a huge American flag was placed on the lead motorcycle.

William Darnell said he hopes to continue with the ride year after year, but he thinks he will do it earlier in the season next year to get more participants.

For more information on the ride or future rides for Toys for Tots, visit the Facebook page: Utah Motorcycle Ride Toys for Tots 2013.