Community Corner

Riverview Marine Corps League to Host 3rd Annual Toy Run

The league will collect toys for Toys for Tots Nov. 25.

The Marine Corps League Detachment 1226 in Riverview, with help from 10 local motorcycle groups, will present its third annual motorcycle Toy Run Sunday Nov. 25.

The Toy Run will support the Marine Toys for Tots 2012 campaign in Tampa Bay.      

The Toy Run starts at the Toys for Tots warehouse, 4479 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa, with rider registration from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. The riders will depart as one group at 11:30 a.m., escorted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The toy run ends at Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse & Grill at Brandon Harley Davidson, 9841 E. Adamo Dr., Brandon.

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A $10 donation and a new, unwrapped toy, gets participation in the ride, a meal and a commemorative coin. Festivities run from noon to 4 p.m. at Uncle Mike’s with live music, vendors, raffles, an auction and 50/50 raffle.

In conjunction with the Toy Run, there will be a community drive-up toy drop-off from noon to 4 p.m. at Brandon Harley. Nonriders wishing to donate can simply drive through.

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“Local donors provide most of the toys used in the Toys for Tots campaign and are contributed in connection with many events throughout the Tampa Bay Area” said John Bain, a member of the Marine Corps League and coordinator of the Toy Run. “In past years we have held collection drives at two of the Tampa Bay Lightning games. But with the current situation there, we have to work harder to meet our needs."

Bain said the Marine Corps League has made it easy to donate.

"People wishing to donate will be able to just drive up and do so, or they are welcome to stay and enjoy the festivities," he said. "Toys for Tots anticipates distributing toys to about 12,000 children in Hillsborough County this year with each child receiving six to eight items”

Local groups helping the Marine Corps League with the Toy Run this year include AMVETS Post 44; American Legion Posts 138, 148 and 389; Special Forces MC; Defenders LEMC; Latin Soldiers MA; L.A.M.A Brandon; Rolling Thunder Chapter 11; Moose Riders North Tampa.       

"We are working extra hard this year to make sure that Tampa's underprivileged children can experience the joy of receiving new toys," said Bain.

The Marine Corps League, open to former members of the Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve, is a nonprofit organization that participates in a variety of community projects.

The league meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Post, 7240 U.S. 301 S., Riverview,

Email Mclriverview@yahoo.com or call 813-545-7526 for information.


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