A motorcycle/vehicle run taking place for the first time this Saturday will bring Christmas toys to nonprofit outreach organizations in Gilmer and Fannin County.
The first annual Gilmer Fannin Toy Run will depart from 1st Franklin Financial, located in Blue Ridge at 2800 Scenic Drive, and end at the Ellijay Lions Club, located at 1729 South Main Street.
Vehicles will start lining up at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, with a “kickstands up” time of 11:15 a.m.
The entry fee for the ride is two toys, one for a boy and one for a girl ages 1-17, valued at $20 each. Monetary donations to buy toys will also be accepted, confirmed Tim Griffin, of the Mountain Men chapter of the Protectors Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, which is coordinating the event.
Griffin, the chapter’s secretary/treasurer, said the procession will probably include mostly motorcycles, but, since it’s the first one, the ride will be open to all types of vehicles.
“If you’ve got a hot rod or a Jeep or truck, whatever you want to bring to ride in this toy run, (you can) bring it,” he said.
The Protectors LEMC is comprised largely of retired law enforcement and public safety employees, as well as law-abiding individuals. The group has chapters nationwide, and the Mountain Men chapter is centered in Gilmer County.
“You have to have a concealed carry permit. That’s your background check. If you’ve got anything on your record, you’re not able to get into this club,” said Griffin. “It’s a big organization, and we’re the first chapter in Georgia. We’re just now getting enough people to where we can help out in the community. As of now, (everyone’s in Gilmer County), but we’ve had some apply who are from Fannin and Pickens, so it’s growing.”
One does not have to be a member of the motorcycle club to participate in the toy run, Griffin noted. They just have to bring two toys or a monetary donation.
The collected toys will be split between Fannin Family Connection and the Ellijay Lions Club. They will be distributed in the annual Christmas outreach programs led by the two organizations.
The toy run route will be mostly along Highway 515, noted Griffin. Refreshments will be provided at the Lions Club after the ride. The rain date is Saturday, Nov 19.
“We’ve had just two (other) fundraisers for some folks we know who had heart bypass surgery. We did fundraisers for them to help pay their medical bills until they could get back on their feet and back to work. I want to make this one an annual event if at all possible,” Griffin said.