SFPC CHRISTMAS TOYS IN THE SUN RUN
PRESS RELEASE
September 2006
(Fort Lauderdale, Florida) On Sunday, December 10, 2006, more than 30,000 motorcyclists and double that amount of people are expected to take part in the “19th Annual SFPC Christmas Toys in the Sun Run” presented by Rick Case Honda. Proceeds benefit the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Hollywood, Florida. All these proceeds pay for cancer treatments for the children at the hospital. Since the first Toy Run 18 years ago, bikers and supporters have raised in excess of $6,000,000,00.which is used for the cancer treatments and other special needs for the kids, as well as feeding thousands of needy families during the holidays. Name sponsor, Rick Case, has committed to help raise over $600,000 for 2006 and hopes to raise over $1 million within the next five years.
Bob Amchir is President of the SFPC and Chief Director of the Toy Run. Bob, along with his son David, takes on the responsibility of putting together this fantastic event which was being planned even before last year’s Toy Run had taken place. Last year’s event raised over $599,000.00. Over 40,000 toys were collected and distributed to local needy children in the tri-county area by the Fraternal Order of Police, District #5. This year we hope to raise over $600,000.00 and collect 50,000 toys.
Motorcyclists will lineup at 7:00 a.m. and starting at 10:00 a.m., the World’s Largest Motorcycle parade will leave Pompano Harness Track, escorted by over 250 police officers in cars and on motorcycles from the tri-county area. I-95 South of Atlantic to I-595 & West to 136th Avenue, will be completely closed down for the duration of the run, which will last approximately 3 hours. This year’s Grand Marshall’s are Steven Tyler from Aerosmith, Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, Hulk Hogan, Jeff LaBar & Eric Brittingham of Cinderella and BSO Sheriff Ken Jenne. We will also have some guest celebrities riding with us again this year. The run ends at Markham Park in Sunrise.
The cost is only $10.00 plus 1 unwrapped toy or gift per person. Motorcyclists are arriving from all over Florida and some as far as New York and California. Hotel rooms are being booked by many of the out of towners who are motorcycle enthusiasts looking forward to riding in the largest run of its kind in the world. VIP spots are available for those who want to be at the front of the line. They will also receive breakfast, lunch and many other special Toy Run gifts. Contact BIG 105.9FM at 954.862.3280. Radio station BIG 105.9FM will air toy run spots starting in October and will continue to do so, until the day of the event. BIG 105.9FM will also broadcast live from Markham Park.
Some of the other events at Markham Park will be a huge motorcycle bike show, over 100 vendors, an international food court, cold beer, and soft drinks. Over the years we’ve had many live bands such as Foghat, The Smithereens, Jefferson Starship, starring Mickey Thomas, Molly Hatchet, Rick Derringer, Mike Pinera and the Classic Rock Stars, the Georgia Satellites and Brian Howe, former lead singer with Bad Company, Pat Travers, Nightranger, Godsmack, Eddie Money, and last year Blue Oyster Cult. This year Lou Gramm of Foreigner will perform.
In the last few years we had many celebrity guests including Steven Tyler, of Aerosmith, Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, Richie Supa, Big Schwag of Monster Garage, Hulk Hogan, Eddie Trotta of Thunder Cycle Design, Billy Lane of Choppers Inc. and the Ice Cream Man from Hell, Rob Van Winkle aka Vanilla Ice, Niki Yaylor and Jessie James to name a few.
One of the biggest money-makers is our Toy Run raffle. This year we will raffle a 2007 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic with a Trailer in a Bag for 1st prize, $2500 cash for 2nd prize and a bike tow to Sturgis (compliments of Motorcycle Freight) or $1000 cash as 3rd prize. The motorcycle is totally donated by Fort Lauderdale Harley Davidson and Harley Davidson of Miami.
Some of the participating sponsors of the Annual South Florida President’s Council ChristmasToys in the Sun Run are BIG 105.9/Clear Channel Communications, Fort Lauderdale Harley-Davidson, Peterson’s Harley-Davidson, Budweiser, Jagermeister, Bob’s Towing, The Law Offices of Rosen, Switkes, Cabrera & Entin PL, Broward County Parks and Recreation, Motorcycle Freight, Miami Mike’s Wheels on the Road Magazine, Trailer in a Bag, and the Seminole Tribe of South Florida, Dunkin Donuts and Seminole Hard Rock Casino just to name a few.
Please contact Debbie Amchir at 954.343.8782 for vendor and other information about this event or email at wogprincess@aol.com. You can also check out our website at www.toysinthesunrun.com for information about last years event, photos, etc.
Donations of all kinds are always needed and welcomed. Make your check payable to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and mail to 6020 NW 78th Way, Tamarac, Florida 33321. If you want to become a volunteer and become a part of this worthwhile event, call 954.343.8782