I think about this story throughout the year; not just at the end of the year.  It’s the tale of a memorable Christmas present I once received.

I am a member of the Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club.  Marshall “Major” Taylor (1878 – 1932) was a Black cyclist who is considered to be one of the greatest sprinters of all time.  Taylor faced discrimination by race sponsors and other riders before, during, and after races.  He was excluded from joining the top racing organizations of the day.  When Taylor went to Europe in 1902, he won 40 of the 57 races he entered.  In 1903 and 1904 he raced in Australia and New Zealand.  Away from his own country, Taylor got the recognition and appreciation he deserved.  There are Major Taylor cycling clubs in various cities.

Our club has an annual holiday dinner.  It used to be held at the International Buffet at the Rivers Casino (post-pandemic that buffet is no more).  There was a lot of demand for that space.  Because we were low on the list, our dinner time would be 4:30 p.m. on a Saturday.  Our events were held early in the month.  We would bring presents to be distributed at the annual children’s Christmas party held at the Homewood Salvation Army.  I would buy a present for a young girl and one for a young boy and then couple them up with books. 

One year many people attended the party and we were overflowing with gifts.  The president of the group, Bruce Woods, asked me to load my Jeep with presents and follow him to the Salvation Army the next day.  He couldn’t fit all the presents in his Subaru Outback.  

I followed Bruce to Homewood.  Bruce hadn’t informed me that the Christmas party was taking place that day.  As we pulled up to the Salvation Army, a woman was outside pacing back and forth.  She smiled wide when she saw us.  They had run out of presents for the kids. Bruce and I came along just in time to save the day.

I didn’t go inside to see the kids.  I could only imagine how happy they were to receive a present—and I have told myself that those books were read and shared many times over.

That’s it.  I didn’t unwrap anything and didn’t have to send a Thank You note to anybody.  But that experience and that memory of delivering those toys (and books!) was one of the best gifts I received.

Note 1:  Five years ago, the Hennessy company wanted to introduce Major Taylor to the world.  They produced a short video titled The Six Day Race: The Story of Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor and ran Taylor-inspired commercials during Super Bowl LIII.  The link to the video is below.  Watch it.

Note 2:  Marshall Taylor had a daughter named Sydney.  She was named after the city in Australia where Marshall experienced racing success and respect from the residents.  She lived on Milwaukee Street in the Hill District for many years after a career helping Black soldiers and veterans during and after WWII.  Her obituary (linked HERE) tells her story.