The Catskill Chronicle

WOODBOURNE, NY (December 12, 2011) – For 26 years Head Start of Sullivan County, Inc. and O’Toole’s Harley-Davidson of Wurtsboro have partnered to bring smiles and joy to hundreds of children at the annual Holiday Party in December.

The Wurtsboro Chapter of the Hogs Motorcycle Club has been there since the beginning of this  event in 1986. Director Tom Lovelace comes with his wife Pattie and two daughters Danielle and Elizabeth in anticipation of the excitement shown on every one of the almost five hundred children sitting on Santa’s chair as he presents each of them a special wrapped present thanks to the generosity of Kohl’s Distribution Center in Wurtsboro and its company volunteers.

Joining the Hogs this year were two other clubs, the Defiant Crew of Orange County and the LAMAS (Latin American Motorcycle Association) of Westchester County.

O’Toole’s partner, Tom Verdiglione, has been continuing the fine work of his predecessors for the past four years. He coordinates with Charles Davis, President of the Head Start Board of Directors and Ms. Bertha Williams, longtime Administrator for the Sullivan County Head Start Program to ensure that as she says, “Her babies feel the love given by the community.” Her staff and volunteer parents and children set up the hall and prepare and serve food and refreshments for the 700 participants.

The families present will never forget the roaring sound of 41 motorcycles coming down the road into the Sullivan County Correctional Facility Activity Center (donated by the facility), followed closely with a Town of Circleville Fire Department Pumper Truck with Santa Claus and his elf waving to the boys and girls.

When asked why O’Toole’s has loyally supported this event for 26 years, Tom Verdiglione shared a story from last year. Santa, who bears a strong resemblance to Jason Parks of the Wurtsboro Hogs, was finishing his four hours giving presents and having photos taken with the happy children. An eight-year old approached him quietly, reached into his pocket, and gave him 65 cents. “Please give this to kids like me,” said the boy. As Tom says, “That is what this event is all about.”