Toys for Tots!

Last week a call went out.  I saw a sign, outside the wonderful display on Sandy Creek Road.  It said the Marines would be there, along with Santa, to collect for their annual Toys for Tots campaign.  We ride through this display every year on our Christmas Lights Road Ride.  What if we could, as a group, raise enough to make a contribution?  What if we could, just maybe raise enough to get a quality bike for some needy kid?  Wouldn't that be great?

So I put out the word, and the members of my Tuesday Tome list, and the South Side Cycling Club, and the new owners of Bicycles Unlimited all picked up on it.  The results were simply astonishing.

Read on...

Here's the sign, on Sandy Creek Road

Brad and Laura Klitten, the new owners of Bicycles Unlimited helped us out with a strong discount.  The South Side Cycling Club bought a pair of helmets to go with the bikes, and made a generous donation to the fund.

Brad and Laura Klitten with the bikes and helmets

That's right bikes!  By Thursday we had enough in hand to purchase two bikes, and the helmets, and...

We had enough cash to bring a $100.00 donation along with the bikes.

Here's what we saw as we drove up to the drop off point

The Jolly Old Elf himself!

We're dropping off the bikes, helmets and cash 

Our own redoubtable Bob Coup with Santa

I got to shake the old guy's hand too.

Our Prez, Dan Christensen with Santa

But Wait!  There's more!

A lot of folks made donations by check, and there simply was not enough time for me to convert that to cash before we went out on Friday.  Sooo...

I took the remaining procedes, almost $200.00 worth!  And went shopping!  Yup.  I went over to the toy store and spent like crazy to buy toys.  These are going into the Toys for Tots collection box at the shop.

Two bills will buy some toys, let me tell you!!!

That pile you see above is composed of the following:

• Two Libby Rag Dolls
• Two Baby Dolls
• One wooden train set
• Two Disney Ballerina doll sets
• Two Crayola 96 pack crayon sets
• Four toy tool sets
• Two kids binoculars
• Two Hot Wheels five car sets
• Two Matchbox five car sets
• Four light up Pixar Cars yo-yos

That's a lot of Christmas joy under the tree!

If you want to know more about the Toys for Tots campaign, follow this link to their website.

If you have new, unwrapped toys you wish to contribute, we still have the collection box in the store.  Or you can do it through the Peachtree City Fire Department, or look for the poster in front of a lot of local businesses.

I can not tell you all how grateful and happy I am to have each and every one of you as a friend.  This has been one incredible and joy filled experience.  Thank you so much.