2010 COOKSON HILLS TOY RUN NEWSLETTER

In the year 2010, The Cookson Hills Toy Run was an awesome success, making our 17th year the best ever. Thanks to nearly 2700 folks who participated in bringing gifts to 500 children and 60 Specilal Need Individuals. Without you, those children would not have had Merry Christmas Memories. Every year YOU make Miracles happen for children in our area. We continue to donate gifts as we find the families in need until the 23rd of December at which time items left over go to a few area churches that provide Christmas to the homeless. As of December 23rd, over 600 children received Christmas presents. Thanks to your generosity over 4200 children have received Merry Christmas Memories in our 17 year legacy!

 Our 2010 event once again provided many families with miracles. Each year special miracles happen for some of the families the toy run invites. Here are a few we know about from this year's event. The Cookson Hills Toy Run is all about the kids and thanks to you who have joined our quest, together we make miracles happen

A few stories came from this year’s event. We’d like to share them with all of you:

A family was referred to the Toy Run by one of the counselors from a participating school and asked if there was anything we could do for a 70 plus grandmother, raising (9) grandchildren ages 4 to17. Two of her daughters and one son died of cancer within about a year of each other. Rather than having DCF come in and take the children, putting them into foster care, she took them into her own home. That home was destroyed by fire and they lost everything. They moved into a house that needed extensive repairs but the landlord wouldn't take care of the problems. She saved money till she had enough to make a down-payment on a 3-bedroom home. Just before Thanksgiving they moved to the new house. They had no furniture, beds, no dishes; they literally had nothing. We told several peoople of their plight and by Christmas Eve they had a house full of furniture, other necessities, food and the toy run provided (3) huge bags filled with gifts for the kids.

Once again, Robert, a Special Needs Individual, is estatic that the bikers (American Legion Riders) have adopted him. Those of you who have given him the "special" gifts have no idea how positiviely you have affected his life. He tells everyone he meets all the attention he has received from the bikers. You are his family. He ask over and over how he is so lucky and his smiles never end. Thank you ever so much for all of your generosity toward this young man.

Thanks to Tampa Armature and their providing a generator again this year. The Egypt Temple Shriners motorcycle patrol cooked up plenty of miniature funnel cakes. Thanks to Elwin and the Crew the funnel cakes were fantastic! WZPH-"The Zypher" was awesome in bringing music to the event, providing instruments and permitting participants to play. David & Angel from WQBN provided us with a much appreciated terrific job as translators.

Our friends at Buccaneer Sheet Metal cooked and provided the ribs alnong with cooking the hamburgers,and hot dogs. Darlene made the and Macaroni Salad and Baked Beans and Hungry Harry's BBQ-Pulled Chicken helped in providing all the great food. Bob Evans Restaurant (Brandon) provided the sweets at Veteran's Memorial Park and the park Rangers made hot coffee. We so greatly appreciate your generosity. There wasn't much left over this year but we did take "Care Packages" to a few families that were in need. Thanks to the volunteers that helped with the food service. You don't know how much you are appreciated!!!!!.

Lowe's- Causeway Blvd., Became a sponsor this year our Elf Lady Darlene is and employee. Not only did they bring out the truck loaded with presents but donated a decorated Christmas tree. One of the families was so excited that they received the tree at the end of the event the mother broke down in tears.

Linda packed 194 gift packages on her bike this year. She has been out-doing herself thoughout many years. The St. Pete Times printed an interview about her in the Brandon section.

LaWayne Wyatt and his wife brought their white Samoyeds and Sleigh providing sleigh rides to anyone who wanted a unique experience. They were awesome!!!!!! And we can't forget to mention our Santa and Mrs. Santa! Their contribution to the event is priceless! The kids adore and look for them each year. Christmas just wouldn't be the same without their presence! The "Scratch Off" Raffle drawing gave the winner $120.00. He said it was a lot of scratching, "but he was a happy winner!" To all those who volunteered both at Veterans's Memorial Park and Evans Park, we are in your debt. Without your help the.event wouldn't have been such a success. Those registering the kids were life-savers, and you have no idea how much you are appreciated! Veteran's Memorial Park and Evans Park. "Thank You" ever so much for allowing us access to the parks. They are the perfect locations for everything. We have heard many compliments on how well everthing went this year. Enourmous "Thanks" to the Vietnam Vets and Ruff Ryders for once again making the "country ride" safe and successful. This ride is a major aspect of the toy run.

It's amazing every year how many special people coming together in this community make this event such a success!

The Cookson Hills Toy Run has been receiving recognition for all you folks have accomplished. In January 2008, the event was nominated for Bay News 9, "Everyday Heroes" award, received Seffner Chamber of Commerce 2008, "Charity of the Year", and Hillsborough County Veteran's Association's, "Keeping the American Spirit Alive" award. ABC, Action News replayed the 2009 interview and the new interview was broadcast after the December 5th event to let the community know what the results were, and included on their web site: on CBS channel 10 a live interview was broadcast on December 4th and included on their web site as well; WFLA Channel 8 and Fox News Channel 13 also broadcast the event on their Sunday evening news hours, again on their December 6th morning news and also included on their web site. December 20th, a radio interview was broadcast on the "Women's Show" on WMNF. The Osprey Observer had a great write up in their neighborhood newspaper. Seffner Chamber of Commerce nominated the the toy run for both the "Sharon Carter Community Service Award," and "Outstanding Non-Profit for 2009." The Cookson Hills Toy Run may have been the best kept secret in the Brandon area but the word IS getting around.

The Cookson Hills Toy Run is a 501c3 Federal Tax Deductible Not for Profit and your Donations are tax deductible. Bill and I get the event organized but we need your help to continue providing children in the community with Christmas Memories. Your donate to help pay expenses, purchase gifts, and food for the event are greatly appreciated. This is YOUR event. YOU make it happen. We can't do it without you. Please sent your comments to: www.cooksontoyrun@aol.com

Thanks to all of you who sponsored the event, volunteered brought out plenty of gifts for the children, attended the auction joined in the raffles and purchased the great food. The folks in this community and those who traveled to make this happen for the kids are the greatest in the world. You are due so many THANK YOU'S.

If you have any questions, want to volunteer or sponsor the event, please send an email or call (813) 643-5758. We are a 501c3 Federal Tax Deductible Not-for-Profit Charity. For those needing a letter for deducting your donations on your taxes, please send your name and address.

May 2011 bring you wealth, happiness and peace. God knows you and your families all deserve the best of wishes for the generosity you have shared with others from your hearts. We look forward to seeing all of you and meeting new patrons next year on the first Sunday, December 4, 2011.

Thank you all so very much for joining our quest!

Bill & Sheri Brown