11-19-25 Toy Run American Legion Riders

10th Annual Toy Run - American Legion Riders Post 57

American Legion Riders Post 57 taking off from Wellborn to begin their 10th Annual Toy Run last Saturday. -SVT Photos by Tami Stevenson

By Tami Stevenson

The American Legion Riders Post 57 of Lake City revved up the season once again, rolling out Christmas cheer for underserved children of Columbia and Suwannee County with their 10th Annual Toy Run last Saturday.

The 1.5 hour police escorted ride began at the Wellborn Community Center and meandered through a two-county backcountry ride, ending at American Legion Post 57, for what they called the “After Party.”

After signing up in Wellborn, riders in the toy run received a free blueberry pancake and sausage breakfast, compliments of the Wellborn Community Association (WCA).

According to Dakota Linder, assistant director for the American Legion Riders Post 57, this year they joined with Voices for Children of the Suwannee Valley and the WCA for the toy drive, thereby helping both Columbia and Suwannee County’s underserved children.

As kickstands went up sharply at 11 a.m., around 45 motorcycles lined up with approximately 70 riders, one being a grey standard poodle named Cooter.

Voices for Children is a non-profit organization that supports Guardian Ad-Litem children through fundraising.

“Anything we collect goes straight to our children at Guardian,” said Suwannee Valley’s Voices for Children President Casey Clevenger, who was helping to sign riders in and hand out tickets. The non-profit organization covers seven counties: Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor.

Sherm Stanley, owner of Sherm’s Auto in Lake City, is a member of the Wellborn Community Association and was the organizer for the car show scheduled to take place later that day at the Post in Lake City.

He organizes most of the car shows for WCA as well.

WCA has started a vocational scholarship program for the car shows. Stanley said they put it together last year and finally got it off and running this year. Florida Gateway College (FGC) has committed to matching every dollar they raise for them. So far, he said, together, they have raised over $25,000 this year towards scholarships. And now they have joined with RIVEROAK in Live Oak. Stanley said, “We now have funds to put towards Suwannee County students looking for a career as well.” He added, “Votech is a thing that’s not going to go away. It’s getting stronger and it’s important that we have that.”

He said they will continue to do fundraisers for vocational scholarships to keep helping these students whether it’s automotive, welding, cooking, cosmetology or whatever. “This program helps young people that can’t afford it, get schooling.”

WCA member Annita Leonard said she wants the readers to know there is a great need in Suwannee County. “We need toys for these children,“ said Leonard. “There seems to be so many more people in need this year.”

Leonard wanted to thank the American Legion Riders for coming, Voices for Children, the volunteers and everyone who participated. “… and Mr. Mayso especially, because he is the heart and soul of this WCA. He keeps it running.”

Mayso Martin has been the president of the WCA for five years, since September of 2020. Martin’s father, Wyatt Martin, was one of the founders of the Wellborn Community Center and Jack Gaylord was another, Leonard said.

The After Party at American Legion featured a classic car show, bike show, auctions, raffles, live music, great food and more.

“The day went well, the weather was picture perfect, you couldn’t ask for any better. The turnout was good, the food was exceptional and the car show went over well,” said Bill Huggins, American Legion Post 57 Commander, after the event.

He said there were other events going on the same weekend, so turnout wasn’t as good as he’d hoped, but it was a good day nonetheless.

Huggins wanted to give kudos to the riders who came together as a team and pulled off a picture perfect event. “Very proud of our riders.”

He also wanted to thank the volunteers and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office for escorting the toy ride. He said the riders bragged about the 1.5 hour ride.

“It was well executed and everybody had a good time,” Huggins said.

Members from the Wellborn Community Association and Voices for Children registering riders. Back row, left Dakota Linder, assistant director for the American Legion Riders Post 57 and back row, right is Cheesecake, the Riders 57 and Legion 57 historian. -SVT Photo