Motorcycle club looks to add holiday cheer 11/7/2009 8:38 PM By SUZANNE R. STONE Staff writer
The Free Riders Motorcycle Club of Aiken is looking for some help to bring a little holiday cheer to families in need with its Fourth Annual Christmas Toy/Food Drive.
Collection boxes for donations of toys and gently used clothing for ages 0 to 12, gift cards and nonperishable food items have been set up at Smith-Hazel Recreation Center, Axis Barber Salon, Second Baptist Church's administrative offices on Laurens Street, and at New Ellenton City Hall. Applications for holiday assistance will go out Monday at all those locations, according to Free Riders business manager Linda Taylor-Cummings.
"The economy hasn't picked up, and we realize there are families out there in need; people are being laid off daily. This is our way of giving something back to the community," Taylor-Cummings said.
The motorcycle club plans to use its annual holiday party Dec. 12 as a fundraiser for the Toy/Food Drive, she said, and the group is considering making the Dec. 19 Toy/Food Drive distribution day into a reception for aid recipients. Distribution of toys and food will still take place Dec. 19 at Smith-Hazel Recreation Center.
The deadline for applications for assistance is Dec. 16. Recipients will be chosen on the basis of financial need, and applicants must provide identification, Social Security cards and proof of residence in Aiken for all children listed on the application.
"Last year we were able to help about 75 families," Taylor-Cummings said. "This year we're putting out about 200 application forms, so we're setting our sights high."
For more information about the Free Riders Motorcycle Club or the Toy/Food Drive, call 295-0238.
Contact Suzanne Stone at sstone@aikenstandard.com.
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