It may seem too early to think about Christmas, but the Western Maine, Mountain View, Canton, Brettun’s Wheelers and Webb River Valley ATV Clubs think about it all year long. That is because planning for the Whistle Stop Toy Run is a year-long project. Just like Santa, the clubs prepare for the annual event all year long. Gathering Christmas toys and gifts for hundreds of area children is a lot of work. The portion that shows on the day of the toy run is like an iceberg, only the tip of it is visible.
“Every year we learn how to make it bigger and better,” says Karen Dalot of Western Maine ATV. “Unfortunately, we had no control over last year’s weather. We set the date a year in advance and there isn’t any way to predict the weather.”
Hurricane conditions didn’t stop 158 people from coming out and having some fun. In past years, the ride has attracted as many as 600 riders. Since the planning of the event has so many volunteers and organizations, they ride rain or shine! Or hurricane!
The 12th annual “Whistle Stop Trail ATV Toy Run” will take place on September 25, 2010 and will help to provide presents for families in the Franklin County area. Areas covered include Rangeley, Strong, Phillips, Avon, Farmington, Wilton, Jay, Livermore Falls, Canton, Mount Vernon, Chesterville and many others. Operation Santa Claus, now in its 39th year, is a gift program that provides toys, clothing and other items to children and seniors in need in the Franklin County area and helped more than 500 families last year. From the first year the Toy Run has generated $42,244.67 worth of toys and cash donations and hopefully added a lot of smiles on Christmas morning.
The ATV ride will extend from Farmington to Canton and back to Jay, and is jointly sponsored by the previously named clubs.
The clubs started the ride many years ago as a way of showing landowners appreciation for letting them use their land and to give back to the community. This year’s ride has many people helping out including the Webb River ATV Club serving hot coffee and doughnuts which everyone appreciates on a cool morning. North Country Power Sports, Kramers, and US Sports will have displays. Watson’s Grilling provides the grills for the barbecue meal and the Boy Scout Troops for helped to serve everyone. Also helping out is the Comfort Inn which is an Official Drop Off Site for toys.
The clubs also wants to express their deepest appreciate to the Wilton Fire Department, Canton and Chesterville Fire Departments for their help to cover all major road crossings to enable our riders to continue safely throughout our ride. Detective Caton of the Jay Police Department will be along for the ride and the Wilton Police Department covers Route 4 while all ATV riders crossed. The Jay Police Department also provided an escort across the bridge in Jay.
The clubs also would like to acknowledge everyone who helps make this event happen and to ask you to mark your calendars for September 25, 2010 for our next ride. For more information call Bob Dalot at 897-2926, Chris Currier at 441-5090, Brian Jordan at 597-2700 or Rene Grondin at 897-5501.
With the current state of the economy, this past year has been difficult for many families but it has also been difficult for businesses. Without the support of local business this event could not have been possible. Thanks to those who gave donations and support for this worth while event. They include:
All ATV Riders, without you this wouldn’t be possible. Althena’s Pizza, Autobahn Hi Performance Inc, Blue Moose, Boy Scouts, Brady’s, Breezy Acres, Canton Fire Department, Comfort Inn and Suites, Country Kitchen Thrift Store, Deer Farm Campground, Ellis Variety, Farmington Emblem Club No 460, Farmington House of Pizza, Firehouse Video, Francette’s, Franklin Somerset Credit Union, Guilds Country Hardware and Lumber, Hammond Lumber, Hannaford, Hardcore Powersports, Hight Chevrolet, Hilltop Collison, Jay Police Department, Jim Martin Auto Sales, Grondin’s Studio’s, KFC/taco bell, Krammers, Labonville, Lafleurs Restaurant, Lunch Pad, Madore’s Market, Mandy’s Pizza, Marvin’s Auto Body, Motor Supply, Mountain View Campground, My Dad’s Place, Nappa, North Country, Otis Federal Credit Union, Pat’s Wallpaper, Pine tree orthopedics lab, Pizza Hut, Power Equipment, Radio Shack, RS Osgood & Sons, Steve’s Tune N Tire, Subway, Taylor Construction, Terri Oliver, The Dollar Tree, The Flower Barn, Tractor Supply Store, Tranten’s Market, US Sports, Watson’s Grilling, Webb River ATV Club, Western ME Community Action and the Wilton Fire Department.
