Christmas-themed ATV ride aims to spark joy and give back to the community

When about 50ATVsdecked out in Christmas decorations gatheredat thestaging areain Seal Cove on Saturday, it wasn't just for a holiday-themedjoyride.

It was also for a good cause.

For the second year in a row, Krista Webber, along with friends, organized an ATV ride that led drivers from Seal Cove toAvondale, and collected donations at the same time.

"A bunch offriendsreached out and said, 'We'd love to do a bike run with ATVs decorated with Christmas decorations and lights,'" said Webber.

"Sowe put one off last year and then we decided to give it back to the community."

Instead of charging people to take part in the ride, Webber decided to ask for donations food items or a donation for the Happy Tree in the St. John's Avalon Mall.

Webber, who is involved with Scouts Canada, decided the food donations would go to the eight Little Free Pantries in Conception Bay South that have beenbuilt by the 1st Topsail Venturers and Scouts since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event grew from about 34 people showing up for the inaugural event in 2021, she said, to about 50 riders participating this year.

"Everybody was so excited," said Webber.

"Other communities do nighttime parades. Sowe decided we would do it,and we would do it andincorporate the railbed with it, versus the roads."

Dean Layman, president of Avalon ATV, wason board right away when he heard about the event.

"I texted her right away.I said, 'Anything you needs,'" said Layman.

"Everybodyjust came right on board. And what you see today isonly a little bit."

Events like this one, said Layman, are important for the community.

"It's fun. Everybody gets out and enjoys it.But you're giving back to something.You're giving back to the community," he said.

His members, said Layman, didn't hesitate at all bringing a donation to the ride.

"They got no issues donating back," said Layman."It's only a couple of dollarsandyou can fill a pantry, you know."

Webber said on top of riders' contributions, community donations for the event also came in goodie bags for the children from Avalon ATV, a youth ATV helmet as a prize from the Avalon T'RailwayCorporation, and skating and swimming passes for all attending youth from the Town of Conception Bay South.

The event concluded at the AvondaleRailway Station Museum, where riders young and old were greeted with prizes, food and a visit from Santa Claus.

It's something Webberhopes will become a permanent event.

"Every year, hopefully.It seems like it's going to be a success," she said.

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