By Becky Manley / Staff Writer
Colorful boxes filled with toys and games covered nine folding tables at Corbin United Effort Tuesday.
The toys and games — all destined to become Christmas gifts for needy children — were purchased in part with over $1,300 raised from the annual T.J. Memorial Toy Run held Nov. 7.
Organizer Mary “Sugar” Pierce-Miller, 53, of Corbin, said 56 bikers participated in this year’s motorcycle run from Corbin to London.
Pierce-Miller and her husband, Bill “Wild Man” Miller, started the event in 1999. It was renamed after one of their friends who was killed in a motorcycle crash in 2000.
The money raised Nov. 7 was combined with about $1,600 donated mostly by businesses, Pierce-Miller said.
It took about four hours of shopping to buy the toys that covered the tables at Corbin United Effort, Pierce-Miller said. The gifts will be wrapped beginning next week.
Pierce-Miller, who rides on her husband’s Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, said she is pleased with the results of the fundraiser.
“It really just amazes me,” Pierce-Miller said. “I’m just tickled.”
Donations are still being accepted for the T.J. Memorial Run to help purchase more toys for needy children. To donate, call Mary “Sugar” Pierce-Miller at 528-4839.
Needy families who wish to apply to receive the toys should call Corbin United Effort at 528-7523 for more information or visit the office at 311 Barbourville St., Corbin. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 18.
