Old Bridge Village Yacht Club’s Toys for Tots drive yields truckloads of toys and bicycles
Old Bridge Village Yacht Club’s Toys for Tots drive again yielded truckloads of toys – and bicycles – for local children.
“We had ready 92 bikes and hundreds of toys for delivery to deserving area families,” said spokesperson Denise Kedian. “Also, students at the J. Colin English Elementary in North Fort Myers will be well dressed and warm thanks to Old Bridge Village volunteer Cathy Miller, who inspired her friends and neighbors to help gather dozens of hats, gloves, scarves and mittens, as well as fund uniforms for the deserving children.”
Marines representing the U.S. Marine Corp Reserve League Toys for Tots drive recently picked up items at the Old Bridge Clubhouse. The campaigns are sponsored by the Old Bridge Village Yacht Club and many resident supporters.
“They were amazed with how much was donated this year, considering how tough the economy is in Florida particularly. Even their (residents) resources were stretched to the max, they still made time to volunteer – everything from bake sales to bringing in corporate sponsorships. It was a just a tremendous team effort. They are amazing people.”
“This is amazing,” said retired Marine Cpl. Gary Bowler, when he saw the huge collection of more than 90 bikes and trikes, 50 scooters, and 14 banquet tables loaded with every imaginable kind of toy. Bowler and his wife, Judy, coordinate the area Toys for Tots Drive with the league and the Salvation Army. “We really can’t believe how generous Old Bridge Village is every year. It’s just wonderful.”
According to Kedian, the Bowlers, Sgt. Todd Smith, Ret., and volunteers Dave Bucceny of Champion Self Storage, Charles Knight and Omar Benitez of Storm Smart brought in their sleighs (company trucks) to deliver the goods. Along with Old Bridge Yacht Club Bridge officers, Ken Hurley, Al Trebbien, Jim Higgens, project facilitator Carol Nesmith, Yacht Clubbers Bill Sidlauskas, liaison to the league, Yacht Clubbers Ken’s mom Barbara Hurley, Ken and Julie Pepper, Jack Kedian and Salvation Army volunteer Dan Payton, they loaded the trucks and headed for the Salvation Army Distribution Center for processing.
Hurley is the vice commodore at the club.
“This has been great, and you have been terrific,” he told volunteers. “We feel we are making a difference in a child’s life, especially with the bicycles. No child should be without one. I think of Christmas morning with a bicycle under the tree; it is a wonderful feeling for a child. It is freedom – you can get out and go,” he also said.
“It was so wonderful, we’re going to get ready to do it all again next year,” he said. “The first meeting will be right after the holidays.”