By ALLEN GREEN

It was a sunny Sunday afternoon in early November, but there, already, was Santa — and riding a motorcycle, too. What’s more, behind him was a line of about 60 more riders, all ready to criss-cross the Island and pick up toys and donations for the neediest kids here. The group was the Martha’s Vineyard Harley Riders, and last Sunday marked their annual Red Stocking tour around the Island.

With plenty of sunshine, the riders set out from the Portuguese-American Club in Oak Bluffs at 11 a.m. By the time they returned to the club a few hours later, Santa and his helpers delivered more than $14,000 dollars worth of contributions to this year’s Red Stocking Fund.

Leading the pack was Mike (Panhead) Fuss, in full Santa costume. This year, he was riding the bike of Will Lewis of Edgartown, the longtime Santa, who was not well enough to ride. The 2008 ride was dedicated to Mr. Lewis.

The Harley Riders have been mounting this charitable ride for more than 20 years, and it is the first of several key events that make up Red Stocking’s annual drive for toys and donations.

It’s not quite like Santa’s all-in-one-sleigh-ride surprise. Members of the Vineyard Harley Riders have been soliciting donations since immediately after Labor Day, and Sunday was the payoff for all their work.

The group first stopped at Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs. Then they rode along the beach to Edgartown, for refreshments at Sharky’s Cantina, more collections, and a chance to thank Will Lewis in person for his work and leadership through the years.

From there it was on to Conroy’s Apothecary in West Tisbury to pick up another group of donations before heading back to the P-A Club for lunch and to tally up the Vineyard Harley Riders’ contribution this year.

Barbara Silvia, treasurer of the Red Stocking Fund, described the work of the Harley Riders and what it means to Red Stocking this way: “I can’t tell you how important they are to us; they’re angels. And they do good works for groups all over the Island.

“If it wasn’t for the Martha’s Vineyard Harley Riders, we’d be hard-pressed to get a good start for Christmas,” she added. “They are here for us exactly when we need them.”

When the counting was done, a check for $14,325 was handed to Barbara Silvia. This year’s total fell short of the amount raised last year, but no one seem surprised, given current economic conditions.

Now, with a bit over a month to go, Red Stocking swings into full gear; the kids of the Vineyard and their families almost certainly will have greater need of the fund than last year, when nearly 400 children were helped.

The full-throated sound of the Martha’s Vineyard Harleys was as clear a sign as sleigh bells that Christmas is coming.

To donate to the Red Stocking Fund, call Lorraine Clark at 508-693-0725 or Kerry Alley at 508-693-2324. Checks may be made out to Red Stocking Fund, and mailed to: Barbara Silvia, P.O. Box 74, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.