For over a decade, Santa has enlisted the help of some special helpers for the children from the Elizabethton Housing Development Agency.
Over the next two weekends, the Ghost Riders Motorcycle Group will host their annual Christmas toy drive to benefit children in the EHDA communities.
Activities get underway Nov. 4–5 and Nov. 11–12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. outside the Elizabethton Wal-Mart.
Throughout the four days, club members work outside the store and accept toys and monetary donations that go directly back to the youth. Over the 10-plus years of partnering with the agency, Ghost Riders have donated over $50,000 worth of toys, coats, bicycles and gift cards to be used for the youth party — which the club helps with each year.
“The generosity of these fine ladies and gentlemen has provided a merry Christmas for the kids for several years,” EHDA Executive Director Kelly Geagley said Wednesday. “The members of the Ghost Riders Motorcycle Club approached the EHDA several years ago and asked if they could help with Christmas and EHDA activities. After collecting all the donations, the members make the delivery to the housing agency. The only requirement the Ghost Riders have is for everything to go to the kids and have something for all children.”
While each year has netted success, 2016 proved to be the most fruitful endeavor for the Ghost Riders. Thanks to community support and the volume of work by members, over $10,000 of gifts were provided to children. Along with the toys and coats for children, members were able to provide over 20 $25 gift cards and multiple pecan pies that were provided to the elderly residents of the EHDA.
Since their addition to the Christmas festivities, the Ghost Riders also provided help with the annual EHDA holiday party, which is gearing up for its 20th installment.
“When I first came (to the EHDA), we had a Christmas party and we were able to give every child a candy cane, a stocking and we tried to give every child a gift,” Geagley recently told the Elizabethton Star. “The Ghost Riders got on board and were more than willing to go out of their way to put a smile on their faces. The Ghost Riders are Santa Claus in my book.”
Geagley also provided a call to the public for the upcoming drive.
“We would like to respectfully ask the public to please support the Ghost Riders toy drive this year,” he said. “Please remember when you see the Ghost Riders conducting the drive that it goes to a wonderful cause and you are helping children who are not as fortunate as others to have a Merry Christmas. Also, please give these fine, caring ladies and gentlemen a big thank you.”