Toy Run raises $500 for Of One Accord's Christmas for the Children

The 2024 Toy Run wasn’t just about bikers hoping for nice weather and enjoying the chance to get together for fellowship and a scenic ride.

In Hawkins County, concerned bikers wish to contribute to a program that promises to serve over 1,500 local children each year.

That program is Christmas for the Children, whose goal is to ensure every child enjoys a good Christmas.

This year, 40 bikes and 50 riders met at the Big Lots parking lot to begin a ride to Church Hill to meet upper-end bikers then continue through scenic Goshen Valley back to Highway 70, ending up at Rogersville City Park for food, music, fellowship and door prizes. Over $500 was collected to launch the 2024 season for Christmas for the Children.

True Sons Club served to block intersections to ensure a safe ride, critical in keeping the large group together and traffic from potentially pulling out in front of the bikes and causing accidents.

True Sons, Peacemakers, Guardians and Veterans Riders were some of this year’s participants. They stated the weather was near perfect and they returned for hamburgers, hot dogs, music and door prizes from local motorcycle shops as well as gift certificates to Rogersville’s finest restaurants.

Last year, Christmas for the Children helped 1,661 children. The ministry, which is under the Of One Accord umbrella, organized 38 parties where families are invited for a meal, a program and distribution of gifts.

Approximately $100 is spent annually on every child who otherwise might not have a good Christmas without assistance.

Wrapped gifts are placed in bags and given to parents to take home to be placed under the tree, while Christmas backpacks are distributed directly to the children. Georgia Baptists have taken on the mission to provide to Appalachian ministries, like Of One Accord, specially filled backpacks children can open the night of the party.

“It takes a community to make all the facets of this program work. Churches, local businesses, industry and lots of volunteer efforts wrapping gifts all go together to make each season successful,” said Jan Chambers, this year’s Christmas for the Children director.

Soon, CFTC will send out requests to partner once again with the program, giving groups the opportunity to take on a certain number of children to serve.

CFTC volunteers will work tirelessly to ensure families who apply before Thanksgiving will be served.

The CFTC office is at 101 Brownlow St. in Rogersville and at the Church Hill Shopping Center. CFTC opens for applications Monday, Oct. 7.

Also on that date, Of One Accord will start taking online applications at www.ofoneaccordministry.org.

Chambers extended her gratitude for those taking part in the 2024 Toy Run and offered her thanks in advance for Hawkins County’s generosity in helping children enjoy a good Christmas each year.