By Lynn Brown, Staff Reporter
Polk County Enterprise, 11/09/08
 

LIVINGSTON - The San Jacinto High Rollers motorcycle club is kick-starting a Rollin' for Kids Toy Drive for the holidays.

The San Jacinto High Rollers (SJHR) was founded in 1957 and boasts chapters across Texas and Arkansas. The Livingston chapter was established in December 2007.

In January 2008 the local chapter of SJHR started community service in Livingston by working on a Habitat for Humanity House. They, along with other volunteers, completed the home in April 2008.

In May, the club turned its attention to the Polk County Child Welfare Board with a live auction, food, games, raffles and a fun run around the lake. The Child Welfare Board received a check for $5,000 for SJHR efforts.

The club adopted a benefit name to associate with future activities involving children. Anything associated with or benefiting the children is titled "Rollin' For Kids," and roll they do.

The club enjoys fun runs for bragging rights that always include the wind in their faces and new and favorite destinations.

A motorcycle ride can be a short distance to a beautiful location or hours away for that perfect piece of pie. Either way, the members share the company of each other along with the common interest of travel by motorcycles.

Members range form retired military to businessmen and carpenters. And membership is not limited to men, women, spouses and friends are included in activities also.

The purpose of the club is to promote the sport of motorcycling through organized club interest and activities, and to improve the image of the sport by activities, conduct and service to the community. Each member is expected to participate in planning, execution and riding of club events.

This holiday season the SJHR has teamed with local businessman Benny Fogleman for a Rollin' for Kids Toy Drive.

Fogleman has been collecting and distributing toys as an individual with aid from friends, family, his church and office staff for years.

"Jesse is my client and we talk about motorcycles," Fogleman said. "I know about the club he is involved with and they are a service organization. This is our first year to team up and I am excited about the help and energy this group brings to the effort to help kids enjoy the holidays in Polk County."

Local businesses will have toy donation boxes at a dozen area locations ranging from feed to dress apparel stores.

Donation jars will be available at many area businesses also. There will be plaques for first through third place with the "Rollin for Kids Toy Drive" logo that will be judged during December by Sheriff Kenneth Hammack.

The awards will be based on creativity for the best drop box, can or tub used for collecting toys.

The SJHR will be at Trade Days at Pedigo Park from Nov 14-16 with a giving tree.

On the tree will be suggestions for toys that can be found at Trade Day booths with vendor names and space numbers included.

A giving suggestion can be taken from the tree, purchased and returned to the tree location on site. A raffle will also be held over the weekend to help raise additional funds. Monetary donations can also be made to SJHR for gift cards or to purchase age appropriate toys for 12-16 kids or to fill in for age groups as needed when the holiday approaches.

Toys and monetary donations from the toy drive will benefit Polk County Child Welfare Board and other area organizations, along with families suggested by local churches and individuals.

"We greatly appreciate the interest in our efforts to help the community," a SJHR spokesman said. "The toy drive will only be successful if the community is involved. This is all about the kids."

The Rollin' For Kids Toy Drive will continue until the week before Christmas.