Marine Toys for Tots Toy Run To End at Uncle Mike's Smokehouse Grill at Brandon Harley

Uncle Mike's Smokehouse Grill at Brandon Harley is the scheduled end point for a motorcycle run Nov. 25 in support of the Marine Toys for Tots 2012 campaign in the Tampa Bay area.

The Marine Corps League Detachment 1226 of Riverview, with the aid of riders from 10 motorcyle groups (see list below), will begin the run at the Toys for Tots warehouse at 4479 West Gandy Blvd. in Tampa.

Rider registration is from 9:30 to 11 a.m., with a scheduled departure of 11:30 a.m., escorted by riders from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

The toy run ends at Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse Grill at Brandon Harley Davidson, at 9841 East Adamo Drive.

To participate, a rider must make a $10 donation and bring a new, unwrapped toy. In return, the rider will receive a meal and a commemorative coin. Festivities at Uncle Mike's, scheduled to run from noon to 4 p.m., include live music, vendors, raffles, an auction and a 50/50 raffle.
 
In conjunction with the Toy Run, there will be a community drive-up, toy- drop-off from noon to 4 p.m. at Brandon Harley.

In promoting the Nov. 25 toy run, John Bain, a member of the Marine Corps League and coordinator of the event, said in a news release:

“Local donors provide most of the toys used in the Toys for Tots campaign and are contributed in connection with many events throughout the Tampa Bay area. In past years we have held collection drives at two of the Tampa Bay Lightning games, but with the current situation there, we have to work harder to meet our needs. In that regard, we are encouraging the community to stop by our event and drop off a toy. People wishing to donate will be able to just drive up and do so, or they are welcome to stay and enjoy the festivities. Toys for Tots anticipates distributing toys to about 12,000 children in Hillsborough County this year with each child receiving six to eight items."

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Motorcyle Groups Involved In The 2012 Marine Toys For Tots Run

• AMVETS Post 44 of Brandon
• American Legion Post 138
• American Legion Post 148
• American Legion Post 389
• Special Forces MC
• Defenders LEMC
• Latin Soldiers MA
• L.A.M.A Brandon
• Rolling Thunder Chapter 11
• Moose Riders North Tampa