‘Santa’s Helpers’ Deliver for Sedalia Salvation Army Once Again

The 22nd annual Santa’s Helpers Memorial Toy Run was held Sunday, Nov. 2 in memory of Duke Paxton and Lois Davis.

The ride began at the Cole Camp Fire Station at noon, when sandwiches, chips & drinks were served to the riders. The group then progressed to Yeager’s Cycle Sale in Sedalia.

Then at 2:15, the riders, composed of two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers, escorted by Sedalia Police & Sedalia Fire, traveled to the Sedalia Salvation Army at Broadway and Engineer to deliver their donations of toys & money. They were rewarded with snacks, refreshments and door prizes.

“We got about 35 or 40 riders,” Mike said. “We have a lot of fun and help a lot of kids. The Salvation Army can do a whole lot more with cash than we can.”

His companion Shelly said that she organized the event, and both were busy handing out door prizes and awards on Sunday afternoon at the Salvation Army.’’

A total of $1005 in cash was raised, plus all the toys that were laid around a Christmas tree in the gym. “We really did well,” Mike commented. “Thank you to everybody who came.”

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The Sedalia Salvation Army issued the following statement on their facebook page:

“Thank you so much to each and every person who came out today to support the 22nd Annual Santa’s Helpers Memorial Toy Run!! There was such an awesome turn out on this beautiful day!! Over $1000 was collected in monetary donations and gift cards and even more toys!! This will help so many families in need here in Pettis county as well as Benton county! This is our favorite event of the year with some of the most selfless and giving people around! We cannot say thank you enough!

Also, thank you to all the staff, volunteers, and family members who contributed to all the preparations to make this possible. We already can’t wait for next year!”

Salvation Army Director Magen Hudson commented: “Another great Toy Run in the books! I just love this group, they are some of the coolest and kindest people around!”

Hudson told KSIS she was more than happy with the results.

“We’re just so thankful. We had over 40 bikes show up. We had nearly 100 people here. Such a great turnout, and this is all for the kids of Pettis County and Benton County… to make sure they all have a great Christmas,” Hudson said, adding that some of the toys will end up on Benton County. “We’re absolutely pleased.”

Hudson added that the Salvation Army is doing their Christmas Assistance sign-ups now through Nov. 20. “And we’ll be handing out toys Dec. 17 and 18. So we’ve got just over a month and half to collect and pair up all the toys with the families. It’s usually over 400 kids that we end up serving,” Hudson noted.

“We can’t do it without Santa’s helpers. Every year, we depend on them. They always come through for our kids in need. It’s all about the kids and making sure they have the best Christmas  they can,” Hudson concluded.

For more information, call Mike at (660) 668-4751 or Shelly at (816) 392-7221, or the Salvation Army at (660) 826-1525.

In the top photo, about 50 vehicles arrived in Sedalia after traveling from Cole Camp with a Pettis County Deputy escort on Sunday afternoon. All were bearing kids' gifts for the Sedalia Salvation Army.