A.B.A.T.E. of Ohio Inc., Region 3 is gearing up for the 25th Annual Toy Run, which will be Sunday, Sept. 26, at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima. We’d like you to be a part of this year’s event.

A.B.A.T.E. of Ohio Inc., Region 3 is part of a nationwide motorcyclist’s rights organization that provides political support of rider freedom while promoting rider education and safety. Region 3 includes Allen, Auglaize, Logan, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam and Van Wert counties in Ohio.

Each year, Region 3 hosts a Christmas Toy Run to raise money and collect toys to benefit our area’s needy children at the holidays. Our success with this event has been phenomenal, growing each year. Proceeds from the past 24 years have exceeded $383,000. Needless to say, we are very excited and proud of this. However, it is not our efforts alone that make the Toy Run a success. Success is gained only through the cooperation of A.B.A.T.E. members and the community, working together to provide for those less fortunate.

Community support of the Toy Run includes both direct financial assistance as well as the valuable contribution of various goods and services donated by local merchants. These fine goods and services are used as door prizes and auction items the day of the Toy Run to raise additional money. All cash collected and raised is spent on toys that are distributed to needy children through social service organizations, churches and local charities. For some children, these will be the only Christmas gifts they receive.

Toy Run is a volunteer effort. Everything, including food, bands, door prizes and countless hours of time are donated and only the kids benefit from this event. We feel that a community approach is the most effective way to take care of those in need. It is our hope that you feel the same and will help us to make this year’s Toy Run an even bigger success than past events.

Won’t you please give us a hand? Any assistance you can give will be sincerely appreciated and will go a long way in helping area children celebrate a very happy Christmas.

All funds raised in Logan County are used to purchase gifts for the children of Logan County. Money raised the day of the event is divided equally among all the counties of Region 3.

Jack Linet

Logan County Representative

A.B.A.T.E. of Ohio Inc. Region 3

& Bikes to Trikes Logan County

Recently, a car pulled from the stop sign on Shady Lane Drive into the path of my son’s motorcycle. He hit the car and flipped over it, landing on the pavement. He was seriously injured and flown to OSU Medical Center. The driver was unhurt and uninsured. His insurance will pay, but there will be a lot left unpaid. He will also be off work two to three months, maybe more.

The law says you have to carry insurance, but that is a joke. People like (that driver) carry it long enough to be legal and then drop it.

(The driver) gets a slap on the wrist and complains about having to buy insurance again.

Something needs to be done about people like this. Please call or write your congressman and get them off the road. Insurance companies need to report people that let their insurance go although they will probably drive anyway.

(This driver) is probably out there right now driving illegally right along with a lot of others. You might be (the driver’s) next victim.

Shirley Patrick

Zanesfield