American Legion Riders Gift The Children's Advocacy Center of Lincoln County

The American Legion Riders Saturday June 27th, escorted thousands of stuffed animals down the Oregon Coast from Lincoln City to Newport, honoring a fallen member while supporting children and veterans. Robert De Kar, state director for the American Legion Riders in Oregon, said he oversaw 20 chapters statewide, all focused on serving veterans. The Riders, a program of the American Legion, use motorcycle rides to support causes ranging from memorial flag lines to volunteer efforts with groups like Quilts of Valor.

This weekend’s run on the central coast was created in memory of Jack Bailey, a member of American Legion Riders Post 21 in McMinnville, who died in a crash a little over four years ago while riding to a toy run in Bend. “Jack Bailey was a big staple in his community in Willamina, Oregon,” De Kar said. “He helped with youth football, baseball, anything that had to do with kids.” After his death, Riders from across the state decided to launch an annual event in his honor.

This year marked the fourth year of the teddy bear run. Previous events supported children’s centers in Coos Bay, Deschutes County, and the Eugene area. For 2026, the Riders chose the Children’s Advocacy Center of Lincoln County. According to Harely Farley with the American Legion and one of the organizers of the event, he contacted Sharon Biddinger with the Children's Advocacy Center of Lincoln County about being the recipient of the Teddy Bear run this year. Riders had spent the past six months collecting stuffed animals and quilts. Each chapter gathered bears in its own community, then brought them to the coast as part of the statewide American Legion convention held at Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City.

After their Saturday morning state meeting, chapters then loaded all of the stuffed animals, which filled the back of the legion van and the back of a truck at Chinook Winds. The Riders then mounted up and escorted the van in formation from Lincoln City to Newport. The group had escorts through Lincoln City by the Lincoln City police department and North Lincoln Fire and Rescue. The riders traveled Highway 101 in the rain to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Lincoln County, where they donated thousands of comfort items of stuffies and quilts and a gave a donation of over $1,200 to the Center.

The Children's Advocacy Center of Lincoln County works with suspected abused, sexually abused, neglected and trafficked children. Biddinger said these donations of comfort items such as the stuffed animals and quilts really mean a lot to these children who are going through trauma. She said the center serves around 150 kids annually, and this year right now they have already served 103. Biddinger added "We are honored to be the recipeint of your generosity as we are a non-profit and count on grants and donations." She told the Legion Riders "It is such a joy to see people like you bringing a light to what we do, and supporting our mission to reduce trauma to the children who have been referred to the Children's Advocacy Center of Lincoln County."

De Kar noted “We are a nonprofit organization, and 100% of what we raise… it all goes 100% back to the veterans and the families.” He said anyone wanting to help could stop by any American Legion post in Oregon to donate stuffed animals, money, blankets, or other needed items to support local veterans and community projects. He described the broader American Legion family tself is made up of veterans, while the Auxiliary is for spouses and certain family members, and the Sons of the American Legion is open to descendants of veterans.

The Riders are members who ride motorcycles, about 95 percent of whom are veterans.De Kar Hemphasized that the statewide effort, including the teddy bear run, was a team effort among Riders leadership. “We do a lot for veterans, and I’m proud to be a part of this organization, and to run the state of Oregon,” he said. “I just get to wear the fancy director patch, but I have a whole bunch of people that make all this happen.”

Those wishing to learn more to donate or volunteer with the American Legion can click this link The American Legion | Serving Veterans, Families, & Communities Nationwide

Those wishing to support the Children's Advocacy Center can click here HOME | CAC Lincoln County