Parkland Toy Run delivers again

November 3rd, 2014

About 50 motorcycles, a half dozen fire departments and a handful of cars participated in the 20th Annual Parkland Toy Run on Saturday to help Season of Hope.

With temperatures in the early 40s late morning, most motorcycle riders gathered inside CiCi's Pizza before the ride began for free coffee, hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls.

Organizer Kevin Sumpter, president of the Parkland Cycle Servants, was pleased with the turnout. Members of several local motorcycle clubs such as the Patriot Guard and 18 Wheels, as well as other local riders, participated in the annual cruise.

As usual, Santa Claus showed up, riding in a fire truck.

Sumpter said there were bike riders who came from as far away as Festus and Marble Hill to join in the ride that began at CiCi's in Farmington, went through Leadington, Park Hills, Desloge and Bonne Terre before stopping at Mineral Area Elks lodge, where riders dropped off toys for the St. Francois County Community Partnership's Season of Hope and canned food items for local food pantries.

The Elks treated the participants to chili.

Sumpter said Parkland Toy Run is held to show Christ's love and help children who wouldn't normally have Christmas, as well as to help the local food pantries.

Last year, 1,419 children from 540 families were served through Season of Hope. The goal is for each child to receive about $75 in clothing or other needed items, and at least one toy.

The work begins early because all the gifts of clothing and toys must be delivered prior to each district's December break.

St. Francois County Community Partnership Executive Director Al Sullivan said one of the most important ways to help Season of Hope is through sponsoring a family.

“A sponsor tells us they will sponsor a family – with one child, two children, three,” Sullivan said. “We then provide them with three sheets of paper with the needs and sizes. They go out and purchase the items and bring them back to us.”

Sullivan said local congregations, civic organizations, schools, businesses and individuals sponsor families each year.

The toy drives like the one Saturday help children without an individual sponsor in the program.

“If your club, organization, Sunday School class or anyone else wants to sponsor a new toy or new clothing drive ...,” Sullivan said. “Clothing items of various sizes are donated because we have all of these children from preschool to high school age. We take those socks, underwear, coats, jeans and fill the list of those not sponsored.”

Another way to help the program is by a cash donation to be used by volunteers to shop for the families.

“Anyone can participate in the Season of Hope,” Sullivan said. “From one individual through whole congregations.”

For information on how to sponsor a family, hold a toy or clothing drive, or give a cash donation, call 573-431-3173.

The partnership needs volunteers to assist in shopping and packing the bags. The packing stations are set up the week before Thanksgiving.

Shopping for the families will begin on Dec. 1, with everything to wrap up by Dec. 17 before the schools dismiss for the Christmas break.