10th Annual Hollie Swatsell Toy Run
To Make "Merry Christmas," Saturday

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

It will be food, fun, entertainment, and something for everyone, on Saturday, November 12th, at ABC Autoplex, as the 10th Annual Hollie Swatsell Toy Run will get underway beginning at 8:00 a.m., with donuts and coffee. The event that began ten years ago with the generosity of local automobile dealer, Hollie Swatsell, is conducted in his memory, to fill a need that was dear to his heart, helping children at Christmas. Admission to the full day of entertainment is one unwrapped toy, that will be distributed to needy children in the Northeast Texas area.  "We donate the hundreds of toys that are collected to local charities," advised Polly Swatsell, as she described the event, on Thursday. "They are donated to the Salvation Army in Sulphur Springs, the Franklin County Little Angel Program, and the Winnsboro Toys For Tots Program!"

 

 

 

Saturday's activities will begin with coffee and donuts at 8:00 a.m., and the first bike out will be at 9:00 a.m., for a 90 mile ride through scenic Northeast Texas. The bike route will be marked through Winnsboro, Mt. Vernon, and back into Sulphur Springs, with the last bike scheduled to be back before 1:00 p.m. "The bikers always enjoy the scenic route through the beautiful countryside, where the trees are turning and some of the 'back roads' are just breathtaking," advised Polly Swatsell. "We also want to remind everyone of the trailride that is being conducted in the Como-Pickton area and to watch for mule-drawn wagons and horses, in that area!"

 

 

 

Meanwhile, back at ABC Autoplex, those chief cooks will be working on washpots full of Hopkins County Stew and some of the best chili around! "We invited the public out to dinner and to make a toy donation, for some of the best chili and stew you'll ever taste, with all the trimmings!" express Ronnie Parish. "No one will go away hungry!"

 

 

 

 

Following lunch there will be a number  of competitive biker games and a presentation of awards.

 

 

 

A live radio broadcast on Star Country 96.9 will be featured from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and Stan Narramore will be performing live from 1:00 to 3:00.

"There will be raffles, drawings, and other entertainment throughout the day, to promise a great day of fun, while we collect as many toys and donations for these children, as we can!" advised Polly Swatsell. "This was always one of Hollie's passions, to make certain that no child in Northeast Texas was without being remembered at Christmas, and we continue this event in his memory, as we keep the same spirit of giving, each year! We invite everyone to come out and participate as they capture the spirit of giving for the holiday season!"

For additional information or to enter Saturday's event, contact Mike or Rikki at (903)588-4084!

 

See ya! on Saturday!!!

 

 

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