The volunteer elves at the Magic of Christmas are already gearing up to spread holiday cheer this December.
The charity is planning a toy run and dinner fundraiser on Sept. 17 to help kick off their work for this year’s Christmas holidays.
Allan Reid, president of the Magic of Christmas, said all proceeds from the event will support families in need in Calgary and the Foothills.
“We’re hoping to visit 700 families this year in Calgary, roughly around 200 in the Foothills area so we’re collecting funds to start to purchase items to give away to families,” he said.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Century Downs Racetrack and Casino in Balzac. The Lions Club of Calgary will provide breakfast for participants and there will be raffle tickets, including a chance to win a 2017 Victory Octane Motorcycle and a Polaris Sportsman quad.
“In total, there’s about 22 grand in prizes,” said Reid.
The convoy leaves at noon and heads south along Stoney Trail, ending at the Crescent Point Regional Fieldhouse. Two or four wheels, everyone is welcome, but Reid said they are expecting hundreds to be on motorbikes.
“We hope to have over 700 motorcycles,” he said. “Seven hundred motorcycles all in a row is quite impressive.”
Anyone who doesn’t want to take part in the ride from the casino, can go straight to the fieldhouse at 1:30 p.m. for live music, live and silent auctions, including for a trip to an exclusive condo in Mexico, including airfare. People will be served a full turkey dinner, donated by the Grey Eagle Casino.
The festivities are expected to wrap up around 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are a $10 donation or one unwrapped toy and raffle tickets are $20.
For more information, visit www.themagicofchristmasmotorcycletoyrun.com or magicofchristmas.org. Donations are also accepted online.
