Toy Run Organizer Thanks the Public

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<img align="left" src="http://www.riderinfo.com/news_images/donna-and-ike.jpg" border="0" style="margin-right:6px" alt="Donna and Ike as Santa Photo" />I got together with Donna, Gumbo’s wife, today to talk to her about what it was like to organize the Lake County Motorcyclists Toy Run this year. I went to visit her and we sat down together. It was not long before she started talking the praises of those that helped her get the Toy Run done, those that attended the Toy Run and how grateful she was for the support everyone showed for the cause in donations and attendance.

You could see the satisfaction in her eyes. She knew she and the folks that helped her had pulled off a great event and benefit. They should be proud, I was there, and it was a great event.

So while she was completely engrossed in the thoughts of the Toy Run success, I asked her these questions.

Donna, The Toy Run is 11 years old, how long have you been attending the Toy Run?
Between my husband Stacy (Gumbo), and me, we have been going the entire 11 years. Being a busy Mom, I have only attended about six.

How many times have you organized the Toy Run?
This was my first year. But I've been dedicated to it and involved in helping with the planning of it for at least the last two years.

Who benefits from the Toy Run and why them?
The Kids Incorporated of Lake County and The Haven Spouse Abuse Shelter of Lake and Sumter County benefit.

Kids Incorporated is a great cause to help because many of their children may not get a visit from Santa without our help. The financial burden on this necessary community service is already too big. The Toy Run helps them meet a need for the children during the Christmas Holidays.

The Toy Run supports The Haven for the same reasons as well as helps out single women and women and their children through the Haven during the Christmas Holidays.

Who are the others that have done the Toy Run planning in the past?
Mostly Kim O and Dave O have held the Toy Run together for years, Mary did it too I believe. Ike is in there as Santa for years. Q helps with a place to serve the food after the Toy Run.

My husband, Bubba, Jay, Rachael, Jennifer, Mary, Aunt Ann, Nancy, and especially my family were a big help to me. There has been Ace, Becky too. I can't remember everyone, but I am grateful right down to the lady that helped cut a pie to the guy that carried something for me.

So you got a lot of help?
Yes, an awful lot of help! I wish I could name everyone.


Do you have sponsors? Can you name any?
Yes, there were many generous businesses.

Gator Harley Davidson
WD Aluminum
Jewelry Works
Steve's Bar
Curves
The Floor Center
Captain D's
Publix
Oakwood BBQ
Champions Honda
Taste Tempter
Leesburg Printing
RiderInfo.com

I hope I got everyone, but I know I may have missed a few. I am thankful for everyone’s support of the Toy Run.

We got some stuff from Doug and cooking help from Ron.

A group of us women got together and had a yard sale. We had Nancy, Becky, Rachael, and some people that they know it was great. Beth gave us some donations. We made $1100.00 and the benefit went to the Haven. Thank you Leesburg Christian Center for letting us have the yard sale in your parking lot.

The Leesburg Police Department did, and has done in the past, a wonderful job escorting us. The Tavares Police, Eusits Police and Lake County Sheriffs Department were all a huge help. Thank you to all of them.

How long did it take to prepare for the Toy Run?
I started in October. But for 2007 we’re starting much sooner. In fact we have already been working on an idea or two.


How many people attended the Toy Run this year?
We had 243 motorcycles and you know there were cars too. I didn't count the cars though. I know the van was stuffed with toys and many of the motorcycles had toys on them. Suzanne Stevens said the turnout and the number of gifts was wonderful and thanks for everyone's for the support.


Compared to past years, how did this year compare?
I think it turned out one of the top ten at least. I don't know, but I have to say…
Editorial Comment: This may have been top 3. She's modest.

What were you hoping to achieve?
I wanted to see our community pull together and give some hope to those that are less fortunate.


What example does the Toy Run set in your eyes?
The Toy Run shows that anyone can help people in need. It's a simple concept, but not always obvious. The Toy Run is a group effort of people from several counties. The motorcyclists come together for the women and children of Lake County year after year. Hopefully others will see this and support those in need when they can.

Will you continue to be involved with the Toy Run?
Oh yes, most definitely. There will always be a need.

Where do you see the Lake County Motorcyclists Toy Run in five years?
Thriving and helping a lot of children and mothers. I see it making a difference in our community. The Lake County Motorcyclists are a family. We're not a patch; we're just a group of people that get together on this.

I have to thank everyone for all their donations and help. Their participation makes the Toy Run possible. We couldn’t do it alone.

Thank you all very much for your support.

Donna


Trust me when I tell you that Donna’s dedication is sincere. She has already started working for the 2007 Lake County Motorcyclists Toy Run.

I got a heads up on one of the new big deals she has going for next years Toy Run, but I can’t tell yet. Look for an announcement soon. This will be something everyone will be interested in.

Follow this link for a list of the Lake County Motorcyclists Toy Run 2006 photos.

[Springerick]

Thanks to Donna from us over here in Sumter Co.
Speaking for myself I had a great time. and it looked like ever one that I saw was a great time.Gumbo you did great
on the food (pass that on to the helpers too),as always.
Ike sorry about the100 proof candy cane
Hey I won best decorated bike. WOW also got a free $100 tattoo with the raffle. Gess I should have bought a lotto
ticket.

Thanks to all that went on the run and took part .
Hey smeg good work







In just two days Tomorrow will be yesterday


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Here is a letter Donna sent out to the newspapers and the Local Police Departments to thank the people out there that supported the Lake County Motorcyclists Toy Run.

Leesburg, Florida – December 8, 2006

The Lake County Motorcyclists Toy Run organizers would like to thank the tri-county area businesses and people that helped support Kids Incorporated Forster Children of Lake County and the Haven Rape and Spouse Abuse Center November 25, 2006 with donations and time.

The Toy Run was a great success. With all of your support the Children and Moms from the Haven and Kids Inc. will have a better Christmas!

Most importantly, we, as a community, pulled together to give a little hope and joy to those less fortunate.

Thank you to the Cities of Leesburg, Tavares, Eustis and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for their support. The help they provide keeps us all safe.

For more information about the Annual Lake County Motorcyclists Toy Runs, please contact Suzanne Stevens, the Executive Director of Kids Inc., at 352-735-0446 or visit www.riderinfo.com online.

Thank you,

Donna Ivey

Follow this link For more Lake County Toy Run 2006 information.

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Suzanne Stevens of Kids Inc. wrote to us and thanked us for our support...

The board and members of KIDS Inc. of Lake County Foster/Adoptive Parent Association want to say how much we appreicate the dedication, support, kindness, and all the gifts that your bikers and the run provided. December 16-17 we will be presenting the gifts to the families included on our list. We want to invite anyone that would like to come and help prepare the boxes and bags. We welcome anyone to attend and meet our families at any monthly support meetings.

Your yearly planning and preparation means so much to our children, youth and families working together to achieve success for those that have been abused, neglected and abanded.

We look forward to working with everyone next year and everyone have a safe holiday season.

To Donna... Thank you so much for all the planning ahead of time for this event. Please take time and rest you did exceptionally great work and I know that it took a great deal of time.......

Suzanne Stevens, Executive Director

KIDS Inc. of Lake County Foster/Adoptive Parent Association
PO BOX 34
Mount Dora, FL 32756-0034

352-735-0446
352-735-5044 (fax)

Web site: WWW.KIDSFPA.ORG