NEWSLETTER
2008 = 15 YEARS
The 2007, 14-Year, Down Home Make You Feel Good All Over Toy Run was AWE-INSPIRING!!!!!!!!!!! The event went off with the same finesse as years past due to the Guardian Angels watching over protecting us with sunshine, warm weather and brought loads of people with gifts to make children’s smiles shine. Thanks to each and every one of you those “Forgotten” children in the Eastern Hillsborough County areas had Christmas memories they will long remember past the presents. Check out the picture slide-show on www.cooksontoyrun.com
Right at 300 children were in attendance to enjoy the festivities and receive the heart-felt generosity of nearly 1000 folks who participated. The smaller children were buried alive with presents. The older kids understand the smaller ones get more presents and really appreciate what they receive. Several have stated they find it astonishing there are people who care and do this for them. They say they are amazed to get so many items they wished for and never expected. Several “Special Needs” individuals were so excited it was impossible to keep them down. Those of you who helped fill their wish list should be very proud indeed. Every one of them couldn’t appreciate it more. We had about 12 additional individuals that weren’t able to attend the event but were ecstatic when their items were delivered. We’d like to give a super “THANKS” the fellow who gave his vest to Robert. He wears it everywhere and his caretaker say if they’d let him he would sleep with it on. You made his world that day with the vest and then letting him sit on your bike, he was in 7th Heaven. He tells everyone – over and over.
Bob Sharp, Director of Family Ministries of Florida was speechless when the funds donated from the Auction, Raffles, T-shirt & Drink sales reached $6,274.00. ALL RIGHT!!!!!!!!!! The Vet’s Toys for Tots event donated a portion of their proceeds to Family Ministries again this year bringing the total somewhere around $10K. You guys are just so AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This year’s toy run event happens on December 7, 2008. Pass the word to all you know! We need sponsors to help with costs associated with the event; insurance, advertising, etc. As most of you already know, we don’t take expenses out of the monies collected the day of the event, so we’d really appreciate any donations. With a $50 donation you get your personal name or business name on a T-shirt and a free T-shirt. Start collecting toys, bikes and other items for the kids. There’ll be somewhere near 350 kids with smiles on their faces waiting for your precious Christmas generosity. If you know a kid(s) living in East Hillsborough County from Riverview north to Thonotosassa and West of Plant City residing with single parents, Grandparents on fixed incomes, disabled or challenged individuals (any age) whose provider is doing all they can to make ends meet, make just enough wages not to qualify for government services and aren’t on other Christmas lists, have them contact us immediately 813-643-5758.
During the 2006 event we were introduced to a young woman, Monica McIntyre, who has two little girls, Trinity (age 2) & Heaven (age 4), who have Leigh’s Disease. This is a very rare disease in the fact that 1 in 36,000 children are diagnosed. It has to do with of 2 of the 4 strands in your DNA being reversed, affecting the motor and muscle controls of the body. There is no cure. Generally a child diagnosed doesn’t live past the age of 2. In very rare cases a few have survived to age 7 and even rarer to the early teens. Doctors have been amazed that these girls can attempt to vocalize and hold items in their hands or move their bodies along with their will to keep fighting to live. God definitely has a reason for them to continue living in this world. Cookson Hills Toy Run, Inc. organized a benefit in 2007 to help renovate the girl’s home and purchase some medical equipment. Many of the goals were met but there still are some things around the house needing attention. Her financial situation has deteriorated. The children’s father attacked Monica then cleaned out their bank account, 401K funds and an emergency $25,000 line of credit on the house, absconding with the money leaving Monica and the girls practically penniless. She receives $623.00 a month Social Security and the girls are on Medicaid. Her expenses run right at $4000K per month. Donations can be made to Cookson Hills Toy Run.
For more information, please contact us at 813-643-5758, leave a message or email cooksontoyrun@aol.com. Send donations to Cookson Hills Toy Run, Inc., P.O. Box 113, Seffner, FL 33583-0113
May God bless your day with an abundance of happiness, sunshine and smiles.
Bill & Sheri Brown
