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Highlands Today

Toy Drives Aim To Help Needy Families

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By BILL RETTEW JR

Highlands Today

Published: November 24, 2008

SEBRING - 'Tis the season of giving, and almost nothing can match the smile on a child's face at Christmas time.

Several local organizations are leading drives to collect toys for kids who otherwise might wake up with empty stockings on Christmas morning.

Chaplain and president Larry Overfield, of Sebring, is collecting gifts for children at the 23rd Annual Inerstate Chapter of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) Toy Run, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6.

Everybody is invited to join more than 100 bikers motoring from Reed's Motel, in Avon Park, at 1 p.m. for a loop around DeVane Circle in Lake Placid.

The run then will head back north, for a trip half way around the Circle in Sebring, with a final stop at the Elk's Club, on Lakeview Drive and Kenilworth Boulevard.

"Everybody is struggling," said Overfield. "Things are tight. A lot of people are working their tails off, but won't enjoy Christmas like they are use to."

Families prepare wish lists. With donated toys, ABATE members help fill those lists. What isn't on a wish list might be purchased by a family at a department store thanks to club members and public donations.

Several ABATE members take families shopping for toys, gifts for mom and dad, and a full Thanksgiving dinner.

For the first time this year, about 40 members of RCMA will receive gifts.

"It's a new one for us," said the ABATE president. "We try to find children who need and try to help them."

The police-escorted run will end for a lunch and auction at the Elk's Club. Past auction items included tools, biker accessories, furniture and pool equipment.

"We try to get as much for the products as we can, because it's going to the families to make sure they have a nice Christmas, but there are still bargains," said Overfield.

The public is invited to the auction and the meal, with live music, for $10 each.

Everyone is invited to bring toys as early as 11 a.m.

Drop off toys at the Elks Club, or call Overfield at 863-655-2275, or 863-381-8921.

Other Toy Runs And Toy Drives

Sebring Post Office Taking Toys For Charity

SEBRING The annual Postal Toy Drive will be held from Saturday, Nov. 29 until Saturday, Dec. 6.

A new, unwrapped toy can be placed in a bag in the mailbox for carriers to pick up.

Toys can also be dropped at either the Sebring Post Office, Goin' Postal (3609 Sebring Parkway or 6223 U.S. 27 N.) or at Alligator Pack and Ship (4200 Sebring Parkway.)

Toys will be distributed to local charities, including the Salvation Army and families of soldiers.

For more information, call Frank Glinski after 5 p.m. at 385-5006.

ABATE Toy Run To Benefit Charity

SEBRING ABATE of Florida Inc. Inerstate Chapter will be having their 23rd Annual Toy Run with line up beginning at 11 a.m. and leaving promptly at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Reed's Motel, located at 102 U.S. 27 S., Avon Park. There will be a police escort, and will end at the Elks Lodge, 2618 Kenilworth Blvd., Sebring.

Cost is $10, and there will be a 50-50 drawing, an auction and a complete turkey dinner. You are asked to donate an unwrapped toy. All proceeds will benefit local families in need. Call 382-4520 or 385-2556.

DeSoto Fire Department Plans Toy Run

DeSoto City Volunteer Fire Department is planning a motorcycle toy fundraiser on Dec. 13.

The run will start at 9 a.m. with doughnuts and coffee at the Florida State Association in Avon Park.

All bikes will depart at 10:30 a.m., will cruise through town and then to the DeSoto City Fire Department Station Number 19, located on George Boulevard in Sebring.

Barbecue lunch served at noon will cost $5. Cost for bikers is $10 donation and a toy, which includes the barbecue and raffle ticket. Cost for passengers is $5 donation, which also includes barbecue and a raffle ticket.

Everyone is welcome at this event at 6800 George Blvd. W., behind the health department. All toys will be donated to local children's charities.

Any other donations can be accepted at the DeSoto City Fire Department, Jim's Pistol Range on U.S. 98, Beef O'Brady's on U.S. 27, November through Dec. 10, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Bikers, Motorists Invited To Toy Run

LAKE PLACID - The ninth annual Lake Placid Food and Toy Run is going to be held Dec. 13.

Although it's a biker-driven toy drive, everyone on two or four wheels is invited to tag along to make a needy child's Christmas more special.

Food and toy donations are being taken until Dec. 13.

The bike run will start at The First Christian Church, behind the Avon Park McDonald's, at 11 a.m.

It will end at Action Revival Family Worship Center, 139 Williams St., Lake Placid, where the toys will be directly given to the kids.

For information on how to donate, or specifics on the run, call Tony Ballard at 863-452-8570.

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