The Independent Riders’ Toy Drive: Two Decades of Changing Lives, One Family at a Time

It started with three friends, a few beers, and a crazy idea to spread some holiday cheer. The year was 2002, and Billy Mata, Al Nader, and Bobby Pena – the ‘three amigos’ of the Independent Riders – set out on a mission to help local families in need. For a group defined by their mantra “No Rules. No Dues. No Shit,” this mission would grow into something far bigger than any of them imagined.

What they called a toy drive was never just about toys. From day one, it was about real help – rent payments, work boots for struggling parents, warm jackets for kids. Toys were part of it, but so were socks, shoes, underwear, and Thanksgiving dinners complete with a turkey and all the trimmings. The Riders’ mission was finding out what families needed most and answering the call.

Over the years, the Toy Drive became a community effort. Jeffrey Burke, a prison employee and rider since 2019, introduced custom toy boxes built by inmates who volunteered for the work. Using locally donated supplies at no cost to the prison, the inmates construct and hand-finish 3-foot wooden boxes, which are filled with wrapped gifts, clothes, and treats for kids.

Brian and April Fogle joined the Independent Riders in 2007, stepping in to manage the critical family selection process. 

“We work with the Salvation Army, Head Start, and word-of-mouth to find families who truly need help,” explains April. “They agree to an in-home interview, and if they’re not comfortable with that, we move on to another family. We want to make sure every donation goes exactly where it’s needed most.”

The interviews are personal. “We ask about bills, car troubles, and even whether the kids have a place to sleep,” says April. “One year, we bought 10 beds for kids who were sleeping on blankets. And not just beds—pillows, sheets, blankets, the whole thing.” 

The Riders work to meet needs before the holidays roll around, ensuring families have Thanksgiving meals and Christmas trees decorated with care.

All of this is made possible by the community’s unwavering support. Local businesses have backed the Toy Drive from the start, keeping donations steady at around $10,000 a year. In 2024, contributions hit $12,000, and every penny goes directly to families, with no overhead costs.

The Toy Drive has expanded its impact, too. This year, the Independent Riders restocked shelves at the Salvation Army and Food Bank, and even fulfilled requests from senior residents at Heritage and Haven Healthcare. 

“Sometimes all they want is a warm cardigan, cozy socks, or a bag of Nutter Butters,” April shares with a smile.

What began as a one-man operation now thrives as a team effort. “Billy Mata used to do everything himself—vetting families, shopping, the works,” April recalls. “Now, the workload is shared among all the Riders, with younger members stepping up to carry the mission forward.

“It’s incredible to see the next generation keeping this alive.”

Like so many things, the Toy Drive hit a pause during COVID. 

“Businesses were struggling, and we couldn’t ask them to give,” says Brian. 

But in 2022, when the Riders picked up where they left off, the community stepped up once again.

For 20 years, the Independent Riders’ Toy Drive has been more than an event. It’s been a lifeline—bringing hope, dignity, and a little holiday magic to families who need it most. And with a new generation of Riders ready to take the reins, the Toy Drive’s legacy of giving shows no signs of slowing down.

What sets the Independent Riders apart is not just their generosity, but the relationships they build along the way. By getting to know the families they help, they ensure their efforts meet real needs—whether it’s a toy to bring joy, a bed to offer comfort, or essentials to ease a burden. Their work goes beyond charity; it’s about connection, understanding, and showing up for their neighbors in meaningful ways.

Proving that the greatest gift is knowing someone truly cares.