Toys for Tots

Yesterday, Thanksgiving Day, at 8AM, Sharon and I ran the 5K Turkey Trot in downtown Springfield. (I know, I know, you are right now saying to yourself, they run? But, that is a BLOG for another day!) Yes, it was cold, hovering around 32 degrees, but that did not keep 6,000 people from showing up at $25 per person for this fundraiser for Developmental Center of the Ozarks and Springfield Parks Scholarship Fund. That's a gross of $150,000!

When I got home, I told Tim, can you imagine if just 1/2 of those same people showed up at the Springfield Toy Run on December 6th, how many toys and dollars could be collected this year? I know that a lot of the people who ran yesterday also have bikes because I saw you there!

So, here is my challenge to each of you. Show up on December 6th for this year's Toys for Tots ride. It's on a Sunday at 2PM, it last about an hour, so there are no excuses of it's too early, it's during church, it takes too long, etc. You cannot even use the excuse that it's too cold, because you can always drive your car and drop your toys and/or cash off at the end of the event at Strafford Elementary in Strafford. It's not important how you get there, it's important that you just do it.

Even if you cannot make it that day, please go to Springfield Armory off of Glenstone and Division and drop off a new toy for a child this year. Or, if that does not work for you, drop it by here and we'll get it there for you. If you don't know what to buy, they will be glad to take a cash donation.

Just give, it will keep you from being a Scrooge this Christmas!