‘Cruisin’ for Kids’ toy campaign returns

By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
 HOULTON, Maine — With the annual Light Parade comes the kickoff of the “Cruisin’ for Kids” toy campaign sponsored by the North Country Cruisers.
For several years, members of the local car club have worked to make Christmas brighter for a few children in the area.    “In the past we have done really well with the drive,” said Tim McAtee, publicity chairman for the North Country Cruisers. “We’ve been able to help out a number of local charities.”
Some of the charitable organizations to be helped this year include Hope and Justice Project, Salvation Army and Connection for Kids.
“We have helped a lot of different places over the years,” explained McAtee. “If anyone needs toys for children, contact us. If we can help them, we will.”
At the Christmas Light Parade on Saturday, people who may wish to donate to the annual “Cruisin’ for Kids” toy campaign can bring a donation to the parade.
“Just look for one of our members in our black club jackets,” said McAtee.
For those members not driving a classic donned with lights through the town, they will be walking the parade route handing out candy canes.
“Or drop off a donation at one of our drop boxes,” McAtee added.
Drop boxes will be placed at Polaris Cable, York’s of Houlton, Beals Variety, Madigan Estates, Pioneer Broadband and the chamber of commerce.
“We will have donation buckets all over town at small convenience stores,” he added. “So, if someone wants to make a donation, we will do the shopping for them.”
A North Country Cruisers member came up with the project a few years ago, and according to McAtee, “Members enjoy it and it helps out.”
McAtee noted that most everyone in the club helps with the annual toy drive, with friends and family joining in to help along the way.
Even though McAtee is not sure of an actual count on how many toys are collected, he did say, “in the last couple of years, we’ve done $1,000 a year and that is not counting the toys that are donated. It is again, as many as we buy.”
So, the North Country Cruisers are hoping to get strong community support to make McAtee’s living room look like Santa’s workshop once again this season.
The North Country Cruisers don’t take requests within the club, but if anyone knowing of someone who may need assistance, they should contact one of the agencies directly participating.
“They have the setup, manpower and network to handle the requests better than we do,” said McAtee. “So, we just collect the toys and they can distribute them.”