The Beginning - September of 1995
In September of 1995, while enjoying their regular Monday night supper meeting, four local
businessmen had an idea to help those less fortunate at Christmas time. That idea was a "toy run"
and the beneficiary would be the Salvation Army. With only three months to plan the event,
Ed Stone (Breaktime Billiards), D. B. Bishop (Eagle Consulting), Trapper (T & T Cycles), and Tattoo
Bob Dial (Tattoos By Bob) went to work and made things happen.
The First Year - 1995
With nervous anticipation, Ed, DB, Trapper, Bob and volunteering families and friends sat up
registration on Burnett Street at Crawford Street in Denison, Texas, across from Forest Park.
It was 40 degrees, damp and over cast, but the bikers and people came thru anyway. By the time
for the "Toy Run" to start, the skies had cleared, it was definitely warmer and 131 motorcycles,
29 cars and 4 postal delivery trucks were off to Sherman. The trucks were full of food stuff
and toys which were given to the Salvation Army, along with a check for $2300.00. It was fantastic
and only the beginning
The Second Year - 1996
The second annual "toy run" began in Sherman, Texas at Old Settlers' Park and ended in Denison at
Munson Park. After the success of the first "run", no one wanted to be left out and we had twice
the number of sponsors as the year before. Participating in the second run were 141
motorcycles and 61 cars/trucks and all brought food and toys. Year Two also proved to be better
financially also and the Salvation Army was presented with a check for $4030.00.
The Third Year - 1997
Our third year began with freezing rain coming down and temperatures in the low 30's, but
this didn't dampen the spirits of the participants. The "Big Kids" still showed up to help
the "Little Kids" in numbers bigger than ever before. We had 144 motorcycles and 116 cars/trucks
to make the run from Denison to Sherman, thinking of the kids not the weather. That year
we not only received cash, toys and food for the Salvation Army, local merchants and others donated
food to help feed the riders and other participants. This run also had a wedding at the
finishing point. The check that was written to the Salvation Army this year was $4200.
The Fourth Year - 1998
Year Four proved once again that things get better with age. There were 181 motorcycles,
15 antique cars and approximately 50 vehicles who participated a great "run" for a great
cause. Starting in Sherman this year, the weather cooperated, after a brief, but heavy, 15
minutes rain shower. You should have seen everyone trying to find cover. The total
cash donation made to the Salvation Army was $5600 along with toys and canned goods.
The Fifth Year - 1999
The fifth year started in Denison with freezing winds and
ominous clouds. As in the four previous years, the weather stopped no one. With frozen
fingers, red noses and chattering smiles, we registered some 200 motorcycles and
over 50 custom, classic, and other vehicles. The Salvation Army's truck was
filled with toys and food by the time we were ready to make the run. The clouds
held their rain, and the winds slowed down a bit, and off we went. Upon our
arrival in Sherman, the Salvation Army opened their coffee canteen, and several
volunteers served donated food to all those who came out to help the kids. We
had already had a great day, but presenting the Salvation Army with a check for
$5800 put a perfect end to a perfect run! The Salvation Army presented "For The
Kids" with the "Good Neighbor" award this year for being one of the largest
single donors in this area.
The Sixth Year - 2000
The sixth year has been our most successful yet, folks! The
weather was cold, but the sun was shining, and the people were awesome! Before
we were ready to ride, people were arriving ready to open their hearts.....and boy, did
they! The toys and food were coming faster than our "elves" could get them in
the truck, and the cash donations were coming in as well. The park was full and
everyone was having a GREAT time. At final count, there were 278 motorcycles and 62
custom, classic and other vehicles lined up to drive from Old Settlers Park in
Sherman to the Trophy Honda Mazda Nissan dealership in Denison. Along the way, we were kept
busy waving and wishing a Merry Christmas to all the people lined up along the
route. Young and old, donators and those we help, they were all there to
support us along the way. Once we all arrived safe and sound, fajitas and all
the sides were served, and it was time to hand the check over. This year's check
presentation was an emotional one for all, as the check was for $10,800! Never
before have we been able to help so many kids with just one run. We at "For The
Kids" can never fully thank all of you enough for all your generosity and
support!
The Seventh Year - 2001
With the terrorist attacks of September 11th looming over the
entire nation, it was a little worrisome for "hometown" charities
everywhere. With so much generosity going to New York and DC, we all had to
wonder, if only in the back of our minds, "Will we get all we need to help
at home this year?" I can only hope that other "hometown" charities faired
as well as we did. This year, the "For The Kids Toy Run" was the most
successful ever! The weather couldn't have been more co-operative, lower 70's,
clear and not too awful windy. Fairview Park was the start of this year's
procession, and we had no idea how full that little park would be by time to get
on the road. There were over 470 motorcycles and around 20 or 30 other vehicles
there! By the time they all rolled into Gillmans Auto Mall, we were all just
speechless and crying tears of joy at what we saw. We have never before had
such a wonderful turn out! The good folks from La Mesa served us all another
wonderful meal, The people from Gillmans were wonderful hosts, and the people
who made it all come together were wonderful to work with. This year we added a
raffle of products and services donated from several local businesses and it was
great. The 50/50 drawing was bigger than ever and $200 of the winnings was
given back to the "For The Kids Toy Run" by the winner! We have some pretty
awesome people here folks! The total amount presented to The Salvation
Army was for.......$16,700!!!!!!
This, my friends is on top of the Salvation
Army's truck being FULL of toys and food!
To all who were there......THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
To all who supported from afar.......THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
And to all who simply care........THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
The Eighth Year - 2002
The 8th year was good year. With the economy down and a lot of plant closings in our area,
it looked rather bleak for participation. More people seemed to need help than there were to give it.
At least the weather was nice for this time of year. However, in the end, the bikers and custom car
enthusiast proved their mettle again as we had over 400 motorcyles and a large
number of classic cars and private vehicles which were decorated for the season. The total for
money was $15,000.00, which is used not only at Christmas, but year round "for the kids" that the
Salvation Army helps.
To all who were there......THANK YOU!
To all who supported from afar.......THANK YOU!
And to all who simply care........THANK YOU!
The Ninth Year - 2003
Anyone who says that bikers do not have big hearts, was not present at the 9th annual "For The Kids" Toy Run on Sunday, December 7th. Once again, Bruce Guffee donned his Santa suit to lead the parade of motorcycles & other vehicles, right behind firefighter Bill Mason in the vintage Sherman Fire Truck #106.
This event has come along way since its beginning. When in September 1995, four local businessmen had an idea to help those less fortunate during the holidays. That idea was a "toy run" and the beneficiary would be the Grayson County Salvation Army. 131 motorcycles, 29 cars and 4 postal delivery trucks were off to Sherman. The trucks were full of food stuff and toys which were given to the Salvation Army, along with a check for $2300.00. It was fantastic and only the beginning.
This year, it seemed like most of Grayson County was represented one way or another. Bikers of every size, shape & color, riding motorcycles of every size, shape & color turned out in the hundreds to support this worthy cause. Nearly 800 bikes custom cars and other vehicles were there. They met in Denison at Lawrence Marshall, bearing gifts of unwrapped toys, canned goods and even cash to benefit the Grayson County Salvation Army‘s effort.
The weather ended up being rather nice and the parade left as scheduled at 1:00 headed to the Municipal Building in Sherman where hot dogs and cold sodas were served. Inside even more money was raised with a huge raffle. Tickets were $5 each. Some of the items were: 1 day passes to Six Flags over Texas, Leather jackets, savings bonds, 1 night stay at local motels, dinners at local restaurants, an acoustic guitar, and many gift certificates for use at local establishments.
Tony Smith won the best decorated motorcycle.
The unofficial cash total raised today was over $13,000 - this will benefit over 1400 local children.
If you would like to donate to this worthy cause, please contact:
The Grayson County Salvation Army or any of the sponsors of this annual event.
The "For The Kids" 10th Anniversary - 2004
It was cold...it was raining with some sleet mixed in...and it was foggy. It was almost a replay of the 3rd and 5th years of the Toy Run, when we had freezing weather and rain. It is just the kind of day to stay home and relax and keep warm, but almost 1000 people showed that the weather was not going to keep them from an event that has become the highlight of the year for most of the area's bikers, custom car enthusiasts and many other people who just like to help at Christmas time. This year's 10thAnniversary "For the Kids" Toy Run brought them all out to participate and to help the area's children who might otherwise not have a Merry Christmas.
The Christian Motorcycle Association members and The American Legion Riders showed up in large numbers to help with the parking, staging and once the "Run" started to act as rolling roadblocks. Volunteers from Texama ABATE and the Sherman and Denison Jaycees helped to run the registration, selling the 50/50 and raffle tickets and doing whatever was needed to make the day a success. Volunteers from Cooper B-Line handled the cooking and the food, serving up hundreds of hotdogs with all the trimmings. And, almost the most important, they handled the cleanup after it was all over.
Dan Stone from KMAD 102.5 FM was broadcasting live and auctioned off some t-shirts, the proceeds of which were donated to the Salvation Army. Little Steve of Pro Custom Cycles and Lee Brooks of Whitehorse Dyno set up the "dyno" trailer and tested a few bikes for the appreciative crowd.
The people from Lawrence Marshall were wonderful hosts, and the people who work there who made it all come together were wonderful to work with.
This years total donation to the Salvation Army was $12,000. Due to the weather, this was a good amount and it went to a good cause in that it is for the children that the Salvation Army helps throughout the year.
The Eleventh Year - 2005
The day dawned bitter cold - one of the coldest so far this year. But that did not stop the nearly 400 motorcyclists and over 50 cars, trucks & other vehicles from showing up at Lawrence Marshall Autoplex in Denison FOR THE KIDS.
This was the 11th year that this event has been held. It has come very far since that first year when a few local businessmen pulled the event together in just a few months. That very first year, there were a less than 150 bikes & very high hopes. The organizers were hoping to top 1000 bikes this year, but the weather thwarted that early on by turning very cold the night before. Of course, the weather did not bother many of these big-hearted bikers. They just put on an extra layer or two of clothing and showed up for this wonderful event anyway.
Jackie Van Zant from KMAD 102.5 FM was broadcasting live. The people from Lawrence Marshall were wonderful hosts,
and the people who work there who made it all come together were wonderful to work with. Volunteers from Cooper B-Line handled the cooking and the food.
And as in past years, volunteers from The Christian Motorcycle Association, The American Legion Riders, Texama ABATE, and the Sherman and Denison Jaycees showed up in large numbers to help with the parking, staging, running the registration, selling the 50/50 and raffle tickets and doing whatever was needed to make the day a success. And once the "Run" started, those that were riding, acted as rolling roadblocks. Thanks to each of you. More detailed list of activities coming soon.
This years total donation to the Salvation Army was $12,000. Due to the weather, this was a good amount and it went to a good cause in that it is for the children that the Salvation Army helps throughout the year.
The Twelth Year - 2006
It was cold, even worse than cold, it was frigid cold - - one of the coldest days so far this year.
This year's total donation to the Salvation Army so far is $11,000, and the Salvation Army truck was full of toys. (see photos)
This was the 12th year that this event has been held and it just gets bigger and better.
KMAD 102.5 FM was broadcasting live.
The people from Lawrence Marshall were wonderful hosts.
I was talking to Joyce Godwin, from the Herald Democrat, and not only did she supply some the many photos we have on the
2006 Photo Page, she also wrote a really great personal view of, and her "1st person" feelings, about the Toy Run.
Read the letter she wrote
HERE
As you can tell I don't have all the details yet as to how many bikes, cars, people and so forth. Also we had a lot of volunteers and
helpers and I am making a list of all of them and will put it on here as soon as I have it completed. PLEASE be patient with me.
The Thirteenth Year - 2007
The weather was perfect......low 70's and sunny.
As you can tell I don't have all the details yet as to how many bikes, cars, people, donations, sponsors and so forth. We had a lot of volunteers and
helpers and I am making a list of all of them and will put it on here as soon as I have it completed. PLEASE be patient with me.
The Future - 2008
Plans are shaping up for the 14th Annual Toy Run for the Kids scheduled for
December 7, 2008. This event is getting bigger and
better every year. We are hoping that you join our "For the Kids Toy Run" as this will
help ensure that everyone has a very
Merry Christmas.
|
