The sounds of motorcycle engines outside meant holiday gifts for patients inside Children’s Hospital Colorado at the University of Colorado Anschutz medical campus on Sunday.

Among the groups of Harley Davidson riders was Vinny Terranova, who, 40 years ago, began donating toys to the children’s hospital with Rocky Mountain Harley Davidson.

Now, the event Terranova founded has become a holiday tradition in Aurora that is cherished by motorcycle riders, hospital patients, volunteers, nurses, doctors and child life specialists.

“We bring the joy,” Terranova said, watching young hospital patients receive gifts from Harley riders.

“Some kids who are coming in for surgery, or if they have anything terminal, at least they can have something nice to put a smile on their face,” the toy run’s founder said.

Shaun Statz, a former patient and advocate for Children’s Hospital Colorado, said the toy run brought excitement to him and other patients during hard times.

“A few years back I was fighting for my life,” he said.

Over its four decade run, the Harley toy drive has received at least $4 million in gifts, according to Suzy Jaeger, a senior executive overseeing patient experience at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora.

“This event has brought joy and comfort to our patients and families during the holidays,” Jaeger said. “You imagine how difficult it must be to have a child hospitalized this time of the year.”

Decade after decade, thousands of toys and gifts continue to be donated to the Colorado Children’s Hospital.

After all this time, Terranova said he still plans to grow the tradition he started long ago.

“I couldn’t do without the support of families, friends and our customers,” he said. “It’s a group effort.”