Bikers save Christmas for Fayetteville family

He traded Prancer and Dasher for a couple of leather-clad bikers, and the sleigh was a pickup truck full of toys.

This Santa had to be tougher than most because he was spreading holiday cheer amid some pretty awful circumstances.

Shawna Leach’s home in Fayetteville was burglarized last week, and all of her son’s presents were stolen. The Iron Order Motorcycle Club roared into the neighborhood Wednesday morning to save Christmas. The members, including one dressed as Santa, dropped off enough gifts to bring a smile to 9-year-old Kesansi Leach’s face and warm the hearts of neighbors who watched it happen.

“We provided our own money, went to Walmart and all the different stores, provided what they needed and wanted, and here we are,” said club member CGAR, who declined to give his real name.

The robbers took the gifts and left the wrapping paper behind. Leach said she could afford to re-buy only three presents, so having a living room full of toys – and bikers – was her Christmas miracle.

“I’m too happy to cry,” she said. “I’m so grateful because he heard my prayers.”

The bikers gave more gifts than Leach had been able to buy her son in the first place. The haul included a Wii, a Nintendo DS, board games, wrestling toys and, of course, a bike. Kesansi was sometimes speechless as he tore through the presents.

But he understood how special it was.

“They love children, and they like when they give stuff that makes them happy. And it makes them happy, too,” he said.