Wise County Toy Run rounds up toys, dollars

Published Thursday, December 11, 2003

By Staff

About 600 motorcyclists arrived in Bridgeport Sunday afternoon with teddy bears, dolls and other toys strapped to their bikes to donate to the Wise County Toy Run.

During the event’s fourth year, the Toy Run raised an estimated $25,000 from donations, auctions, food concessions, biker registration and T-shirt and raffle ticket sales, said organizer Phillip Pierce. And although there is not an exact count on the number of donated toys, bags filled an 8-foot-by-24-foot trailer.

Both the toys and the money will benefit many Wise County charities, including Spirit of Christmas, Head Start, Wise Area Relief Mission and Court Appointed Special Advocates.

Next week, Toy Run organizers will visit area banks to gather up angels who have not yet been adopted, Pierce said. They will also contact elementary schools in the county to provide a special Christmas gift to children who may not have registered as angels.

Organizer Butch Garrett said the Toy Run not only benefits children, but it also helps anyone in Wise County who needs help around the holidays.

From victims of house fires to families who may be having a hard time making ends meet, Garrett said the Toy Run will help anyone who needs assistance.