News

Car club sponsors weekend toy drive

By CHERYLL WARREN Argus-Press Staff Writer

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 3:21 PM EST

CALEDONIA TWP. - A group of local car enthusiasts hopes to brighten the Christmas season for area children by collecting toys this weekend at Hodge Glass.

Jamie St. John and his friends share a love of vehicles - vintage and otherwise. St. John and his friends, who have already restored several vehicles and are in the process of rebuilding several more, have turned that love of old iron into a local club.

Members of Owosso's chapter of Vertically Challenged will join with members of the South East Chapter this weekend for a local drive for Toys for Tots.

“All of us in the club have had prior experiences with Christmases which have not been all that great, often because of economic issues,” St. John said. “We know what that can be like.”

Known as “Fill the Trucks,” the event will take place in the parking lot of Hodge Glass, 1660 E. Main St. A couple of the club's trucks will be on site 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday as collection points for the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots. Santa Claus will be present, and representatives from the U.S. Marines may be on site, as well.

Weather permitting, a number of the club members' other vehicles, some works in progress, may be there.

The goal is collect as many toys for the Marines project as possible.

A 50/50 drawing will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. The club's share of the drawing also will benefit Toys for Tots.

“Our local chapter president has a 3-year-old little boy,” St. John said. “A top priority with us all is family.”

Comment on this Story

Jamie St. John wrote on Nov 28, 2008 1:33 AM:

" I would like to thank everyone for all the support that has been shown, and everyone who does come out to the drive. We greatly appreciate all the help!! Anybody that would like to contact us I have put our email on here, feel free to do so. "

The Man wrote on Nov 26, 2008 2:55 AM:

" I think this as an awesome idea. I am so glad that the members of the community are getting involved with something for the people of our cities. All the new businesses that are going up, the people are often forgotten. I look foward to seeing this car club of young people on the streets of Owosso in up coming years. Best of luck you guys this weekend!!! "