Artesian City Car Club to conduct Toys for Tots benefit

ALBANY — The Artesian City Car Club is partnering with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to sponsor the second Toys for Tots Family Fun Day to boost the foundation’s toy collection this holiday season.

The event is set for 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Dec. 9 at the Albany Toys ‘R’ Us parking lot at 2601-H Dawson Road. The Family Fun Day is planned to provide a fun-filled, family-oriented event to collect toy donations to Toys for Tots.

“We are partnering with Toys for Tots to help out with their toy collection and public awareness,” Cameron Lashley, social media coordinator for the car club, said.

Lashley said that while the club was involved in the event last year, this is the first in which it has been directly coordinating the Family Fun Day. Food, bouncy houses and face-painting booths will be on site; vehicles from the Albany Fire Department and Albany area law enforcement agencies will be on display, and an Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter demonstration is part of the day’s activities. A DJ will be on hand to provide entertainment.

The event will also feature an open car, truck and motorcycle show, with the Top 3 judged vehicles being recognized in 10 different categories, broken down by decade. All vehicles are welcome, and registration for the car show opens at 10 a.m. and lasts until 1:30 p.m.

Awards from the show will be presented at 3:30 p.m. Registration for the show is at least one new, unwrapped toy per vehicle.

Lashley made clear that the show is not meant to cater to “trophy hounds.”

“The intent is to get as many people to come out (as we can),” he said. “Any type of vehicle is welcome.”

The Salvation Army will also be present to accept applications for children up to age 14 living in Dougherty, Lee, Terrell and Calhoun counties whose families wish to be Toys for Tots recipients.

Since 1947, Marines have been making Christmas wishes come true for needy children. Toys for Tots is meant to make a difference in the lives of less fortunate children in the community.

The Artesian event will be the final major toy collection for this year’s local Toys for Tots program. Toys will be distributed to families the following week.

“We are hoping to have a big turnout,” Lashley said. “What goes in goes right back into the community.”

The intention for the Tots for Tots campaign in Southwest Georgia is get up to at least 20,000 toys to go to thousands of children in the region who may not receive much else on Christmas Day. Those who cannot attend the event can make a tax-deductible financial donation to Toys for Tots. Donations will be used to purchase toys.

“I am very passionate about the Toys for Tots benefit because it is centered here in Southwest Georgia,” Lashley said. “I can still remember being 4 or 5 and wondering what was under the tree. It is so important to share that with as many children as we possibly can.

“I can’t think of a more worthy cause to chip in on, especially this time of year.”

Those seeking more information can call Lashley at (229) 291-7483 or visit the Artesian City Car Club page on Facebook. Additional information about the regional Toys for Tots campaign and how to contribute to it can be found at www.albany-ga.toysfortots.org.

Jennifer Parks