 Kevin & Helena!  So here's the story of how I met one of the coolest couple of peoples on the whole damn planet! I was at a poker party last year and, as I tend to do, wound up in moto-conversation with this couple. They couldn't say enough good things about this little shindig on a nearby island. The Salt Spring Island Toy Run, to be precise. Now I've been to everyone's share of motorcycle and biker events and, while I'm never one to be afraid of a good time, I'm not so easily impressed. These two were pretty solid peeps though, they'd been around the block a time or two themselves and they piqued my interest in the event.  The SSI Toy Run 2018 shirts are WAY BADASS! So I reached out. That's how I met Helena. Like I said, I've seen my share of rallies, runs and such, which comes with a whole bunch of folks traipsing through my happy little existence. So I reeeeeally appreciate when the organizers are friendly and helpful. Helena had all of that in spades. So I signed us up and we were off and running! And that's how I met Kevin. I was already totally blown away when I pulled into the venue. I mean, I've been to Salt Spring, but the grounds for the SSI Toy Run are something else. I mean seriously here, a fucking apple orchard? For reals? After finally connecting with the lovely and welcoming Helena in person, her total BC dude of a fella shows up. If you were lucky enough to grow up in rural BC then you know the guy I'm talking about. Big wide open grin, laid back and friendly as hell. The kinda guy that makes Spicolli look like an uptight asshole. Felt like I'd known him for years before he even said a word. Talk about your poster couple for relationship goals! lol  The first night was spent in that lit-up apple orchard, sharing frosty wobbly-pops under the stars with new friends while listening to one of the best live bands I've ever heard. The rest of the weekend just got better and better. They were a little short on bodies for one of the biker games, so we left the booth and ass-humped some balloons, relay style. Which was totally as much fun as that sounds. Second night was a dance after the run itself and an afternoon of biker games, not to mention a delicious dinner of roast beast prepared by a chef as local as her ingredients. Pretty chill and easy crowd too. These islanders put on one hell of a show and it was instantly a favorite. So much so that I've decided it's going to be the last event of my season this year. It just doesn't get any better than this and it's the perfect way to close out my Summer. The Salt Spring Island Toy Run starts today, by the way, and runs through the weekend. So ditch the granny panties, come shake your tail feathers with us and don't forget to thank Helena, Kevin and the rest of the crew for all of the hard work and hospitality. Oh yeah, and swing by to see me and say hi at the Killman Customs tent, I'll be the one with the grin as big as Kevin's! Now, my shifty crew of fancy-dancing degenerates, let's hear from today's stars, Helena and Kevin! (As always, just click on any of the pics to make 'em bigger!)  Who are you and where are you from? Helena Mitchell and Kevin Kopetzki, Victoria and Salt Spring Island, respectively. Helena is a full time paralegal and part time yoga instructor. Kevin is a Home Systems Integrator. We both volunteer for the Salt Spring Island Toy Run. Kevin being more heavily involved as one member of a fantastic organizing committee.  Got any nicknames and how’d you get ‘em? No nicknames for Kevin. Helena is also known as “Lucy”, acquired some years ago for her affinity to find herself in comical conundrums, Lucy Ricardo Like. Kevin likes to think of it as more “Lucy van Pelt” (Peanuts) than Lucille Ball.  Chuck Norris? Never heard of her. What’s awesome about you and your life? I don’t know that we are anymore awesome than the next couple. We are lucky to get to do what we do and live our little lives in the best location there is! What do you think you do and where do you do it? We think we put on one heck of a charity event in an idyllic setting on the beautiful and laid-back Salt Spring Island!  Why do you do what you do? To give back to the community. The Salt Spring Island Toy Run is the sole fundraiser for Santa’s Workshop on Salt Spring Island, which gives underprivileged children on the island a happier Christmas, as well as helping families in the community throughout the year. Sadly, there continues to be a growing need for such charity on the island.  How did you wind up where you are? Kevin has lived on SSI for over twenty years. As an avid motorcyclist and member of the community he attended the Toy Run for many years, participating in the biker games.  Paul & Kevin, QC'ing the beer garden ;) Over time he began helping out more and more in small ways and was eventually roped onto the committee by his good friend and main organizer, Paul Smith. Helena attended the event with a family member for the first time in 2012. In 2013 she and Kevin were paired up for the weenie game and it was love at first bite! What would be your superhero name? Super-Kev and Olfactoria!  What was the best thing to happen to you due to poor life choices? Kevin: looking up this beautiful woman I met at the Toy Run! What’s your next adventure? No real plan, the best adventures happen when you just ride.  Favorite joke? Kevin: How do you turn a dishwasher into a snow blower? Give her a shovel. Helena: Have you heard of these new corduroy pillows? They are making headlines! Who do you want us to interview next and what do you want us to ask them? Belt Drive Betty AKA Renee Charbonneau.  Want to give some shout outs to other talented peeps, or anyone that helped along the way? We have to give a big shout out to Paul Smith, who works tirelessly every year to keep our little event going. As do the other Committee members: Noella Fraser, Kristy Spencer, Brandi Mackinnon, and Carey Butler; and all those in the community who come out on the weekend to volunteer.  See our website below for contact information if you are interested in getting involved – we always need extra helping hands. What would you do with one million dollars? Put on THE Toy Run to end all Toy Runs!  Tell us anything else you want us to share for you. The Salt Spring Island Toy Run 2018: August 24, 25, and 26th at the Farmers’ Institute on Salt Spring Island. Like and Share our event on Facebook !!  Thanks for sharing today guys, it's been a pleasure babbling with the two of you fine folk and I can't wait to do it again in person at this year's Toy Run. Hope you all enjoyed getting to know this pair of awesome individuals today as much as I have and i look forward to seeing you all on Salt Spring Island this weekend!
 These are the peeps that make the magic happen!
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