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By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
The Toys for Tots motorcycle parade, which rumbled off
yesterday morning from Magic Island, makes its way down
Kalakaua Avenue to the toy collection point at the Waikiki
Shell, where island children waited eagerly for a look at the
offerings and a chance to choose one or two.

Biker, 78,
packs her oxygen
and helps haul
Toys for Tots

'I didn't want to be a little
old lady in a wheelchair,' says
Robin Savoy, who rides
in the annual parade.

---

By Treena Shapiro
Star-Bulletin

Robin Savoy was having breakfast at the Sizzler restaurant in Waikiki seven years ago when she saw a parade of motorcycles pass through Waikiki.

Aware that she would soon have a new set of wheels, she decided then that she would begin participating in the Street Bikers United annual Toys for Tots Parade the following year.

Savoy, 78, decked out in black leather and rhinestones, is not the average biker. Her ride packs an extra wheel and, for the last three years, an oxygen tank as well. But it is her smile that really made her stand out from the crowd packed into the Waikiki Shell parking lot after yesterday's parade.

"I didn't want to be a little old lady in a wheelchair," she said sitting in motorized scooter covered with Harley-Davidson logos.

By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Robin Savoy and companions joined the Street
Bikers United Christmas Parade down Kalakaua.

Over the past seven years, Savoy -- who was not a biker before she was afflicted with lung cancer and emphysema -- has accumulated about 25 riding outfits and transformed her scooter into a senior biker's dream and a source of inspiration for others facing disability.

"As long as a person is able to be mobile, you should get out and try to encourage people to do the same thing," she said. "I never go out on this (scooter) unless I'm dressed. People expect it. I get a lot of smiles."

With six large stuffed animals strapped to her scooter, Savoy delivered smiles to needy keiki assembled at the Shell to pick gifts from Toys for Tots. Last year, Savoy had gone for small animals, more than 30 of them, but "I had a terrible time getting them off," she said.

By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Brothers Andrew Save, age 8, at left, and Jensen Save, 12,
browse through toys brought to the Waikiki Shell
by Street Bikers United.

Some 3,000 bikers donated more than 5,000 new toys to needy children after their 26th annual parade yesterday, filling the Shell's stage with items for every age group. Jerian Rosa, 3, made away with a fishing pole wrapped in a package as tall as she was. "I want to go fishing on Christmas," she said.

Asked if she would get her holiday wish, Jerian's uncle, Daniel Rosa, 11, said "maybe." His prize was a set of five small Pokemon figures with battle disks, which he plans to add to the collection of eight he has at home. "It was underneath, and I saw it and I said, 'Ooh,'" he said.

Daniel was impressed by the assortment of motorcycles and master of ceremonies Andy Bumatai. "I like the part when he was telling jokes." The event was "fun and exciting."

Bikers agree. Clad in a well-ventilated red body suit and color-coordinated reindeer antlers, "Santa's Helper" Renie Bauder, 47, said that is why she has shipped her 1993 Harley-Davidson Springer over from Kauai for the parade the last 10 years. She and five other bikers rent a 20-foot container and pay about $103 each to bring their bikes to Oahu for the weekend to ride in the parade and hang out with friends.

"I'm enjoying the nice weather and roads," she said. "On Kauai you can't go around the island."

Bauder brought along Betty Spaghetti dolls for her toy donation. "I like to help the community," she said.