Fulfilling Christmas wishes

ALBANY — With Christmas just around the corner, an Albany motorcyle club is revving up to take the holiday season to “Another Level.”

For the second consecutive year, Another Level Bike Club will host a Christmas party for children enrolled in Easter Seals of Southern Georgia’s Respite and Family Support program, which has a service area of 14 counties in Southwest Georgia.

“They’re familes and children who have developmental disabilities,” said Nicki Wilson of Easter Seals during a recent interview.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a party without refreshments. So the event will include such childhood favorites as hamburgers, hot dogs and cake.

The Jolly Old Elf, Santa Claus, himself, will also join in the fun, as he makes quite an entrance.

“He’ll be escorted by motorcyles,” Doug Griffin of Another Level said. “The motorcyles will be his reindeer, with him coming in behind them.”

Debuting last year, the Christmas party came about when the group was searching for ways to help those in and around the Good Life City.

“Our club has always done for our community as best we could,” Griffin said.

Fellow Another Level member, Shelby Daniel, echoed that sentiment.

“That’s why we came together in the first place,” he said of the club that formed in 2006.

Last year’s party provided Christmas gifts for 84 Southwest Georgia children with special needs. It’s an event that Albany mother Sherry Branch, who has a daughter with down syndrome, still appreciates.

“It was wonderful to see the smiles on the children’s faces,” she said.

For this year’s party, approximately 80 children ages 3-17 will once again be treated to holiday festivities. The highlight of the party, which will take place at Knights of Columbus on a yet to be determined date, will be when Santa gives each child three items they have asked for.

To make that happen, Another Level is working to raise funds and collect toys with collection boxes and canisters peppered throughout the area. The group has already received sponsorship from several businesses, including Southwest Georgia Plumbing, VanCleave Construction, Pamine State Farm, Viola Waste Management, Pro Build, Lighting and Flooring, Georgia Power and Flint River Services. But they welcome more, as well as individual monetary and toy donations.

Last year’s party cost $4,100 to pull off. The cost of this year’s event hinges on the items wished for by the recipients.

But, Griffin pointed out, the cost won’t affect the outcome of the party.

“We’re going to spend as much as it takes to make it happen,” he said, explaining that Another Level members will pay for items wished for themselves, if necessary.

It’s that kind of benevolence that drew Albany newcomer Lou Swartz to recently join Another Level.

“I have three nephews that are challenged,” Swartz said, explaining that the group’s attention desire to make a difference in the community is something he’s previously and unsuccessfully looked for.

Another Level’s next fundraising event will be a biker festival on Nov. 28 at South Georgia Motor Park in Cecil. For more information, visit www.racesgmp.com.

In addition, Another Level is raffling tickets for a $200 Target gift card. Tickets are $2 each.

For more information on how to help, contact Griffin at (229) 809-0705 or [email protected] or Easter Seals at (229) 439-7061 or (800) 365-4583.

TOY DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

* Hooters

* Shoe Box

* Trademark Body Art

* Curves

* Simply You

* Book Barn

* Rossi Performance

* Shelby’s, Albany and Cordele

* Backwoods Outdoors

* Pro Build

* Miller-Coors Brewing IAM 2699

* Lighting and Flooring

* Gills

* Westwood Apartments

* Tot Shop & Downtwon-Gift, Americus

* River Pointe Pro Shop

* Easter Seals

MONETARY DONATION CANISTERS

* Shelby’s, Cordele

* Shell Station, U.S. Highway 19 Lee County

* Citgo, Ledo Road

* Southern Elegance

* Rossi Performance

* Maryland Fried Chicken, Slappey Boulevard

* Albany Police Department

* Sumter County Sheriff’s Office

* Dawson Police Department

* Backwoods Outdoors

* Gills

* Shoe Box

* Fred’s, Slappey Boulevard

* Master Body Works

* Book Barn

* J&J Comic and Cards