Albany Toys for Tots benefit brings in hundreds of donations
Nine hundred toys collected, 55 children registered, $3,000 raised for Toys for Tots at Albany event
By Jennifer Parks
ALBANY — A final major push to boost Toys for Tots that was put on by the Artesian City Car Club a week ahead of the program’s gift distribution turned out to be a successful one.
The car club hosted its second annual Toys for Tots Family Fun Day and Car Show in the Toys ‘R’ Us parking lot on Dawson Road on Saturday. Family friendly activities were plentiful, while a car, truck and motorcycle show — with the registration price of at least one unwrapped toy donation per vehicle — was open to the public in 10 different categories divided out by decade.
Cameron Lashley, social media coordinator for the car club, said about 40 different vehicle-owners participated in the event, with some coming in from as far away as Tallahassee, Fla. Air Evac Lifeteam provided two air ambulance helicopters for demonstrations during the Fun Day, while officials collected 900 toys for Toys for Toys. The Salvation Army registered 55 children to receive toys from the program.
In addition, $3,000 in monetary donations were raised. Financial contributions go toward the purchase of toys for children up to the age of 14 who qualify for Toys for Tots.
Officials said 2,800 children in Albany and surrounding counties are expected to benefit from the 25,000 donated toys on Christmas Day this year.
“We had a great event,” Lashley said. “The weather was a little uncooperative in the morning, but things worked out fine.”
Demonstrations were provided by the Albany Fire Department and Albany area law enforcement agencies. The club also presented appreciation plaques to area individuals and businesses that assisted with the event.
Other sponsors of the Artesian City Car Club Fun Day included The Albany Herald, Albany Mall, AutoZone, Breaktime Pub and Billiards, Brooks Furniture, Buffalo Rock Company, Golden Corral, Hamilton Relay, Mike Fuches, Teleperformance USA, The Home Depot, O’Riley Auto Parts, Sky High Bounce, WFXL-TV and WALB.
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