Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Swampriders teaming up with Picayune for toy run

Prescott will be invaded Saturday, Nov. 20 between 2:30-3 p.m.

The invasion force, however, will not be a hostile enemy army, but between 60-100 motorcycles as the Swampriders Motorcycle Club makes its annual toy run. This year, the Swampriders will be donating the toys to the Picayune Toy Drive.

This group of motorcycle enthusiasts has been making a toy run for several years. Last year the Swampriders took their toys to Camden. This year, though, the toys will be given to youngsters throughout Nevada County.

Gill Johnson, president of the Swampriders, said the club gave the toys to the Department of Human Services until it stopped doing the angel tree, and then gave them to the Presbyterian Church, before going to Camden. "We just want somewhere to take the toys where they'll do the most good," he said.

Picayune Editor John Miller said he was thrilled when contacted by the Swampriders. "Their efforts will be a welcome addition to the drive and will definitely make a lot of children happy with the toys they bring."

The toy drive began, he said, when the Nevada County DHS decided to quit doing its Angel Tree program. This was done because parents complained about the toys their children received and, in some instances, attempted to take the toys back for money. The loss of this program meant a lot of children throughout Nevada County would have few, if any, Christmas presents.

Miller, along with Lisa Martin, Picayune office manager, began working to collect new or used toys to help children have a brighter and merrier Christmas. Names, he said, were obtained through the three school districts.

More than 120 bags of toys were handed out the first year, with more than 200 bags being given out for Christmas 2004. In addition, the Picayune drive gave the Key Club enough toys for the students involved to present them to 50 children.

The toys are delivered, Miller said with parents being informed they must come to the Picayune office and pick them up, as it would be difficult to deliver this many toys in one day.

Typically, the toys are passed out the same day of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce holds its Breakfast with Santa. In fact, Mary Godwin, Chamber director, and the Chamber have helped out with both drives.

What has been done the past two years, is after the Breakfast with Santa event ends, those who are working to pass out toys go to the Picayune office and prepare.

Miller and Martin work with the three schools in the county to obtain the names of needy children. This year, a form has been sent home with children for parents to fill out. The form will ask for the first and last names of all children in the household, their gender and ages. By doing this, those who put the bags together can make the toys more age appropriate.

Area businesses are being contacted about making donations of either money or new toys.

Miller said good used toys will be accepted for the drive. "While we will accept used toys, they must be in good condition. If it's not something someone would want their own child to have, it shouldn't be donated to the drive. We do appreciate everyone who helps out by making the donations. Every toy we receive makes Christmas a little brighter for a child in the county."

This year, Miller said, toys will be handed out on December 18 from 12-3 p.m. at the Picayune office.