ABATE is a biker organization dedicated to helping children in need. They teamed up with WOCAP to find families and distribute toys bought with the proceeds from their annual toy run back in September. P&G also donated cleaning supplies for parents to pick up along with the toys. While bikers were considered troublemakers a long time ago, nowadays many of them band together to support good causes.

It definitely didn’t sound like sleigh bells, but it was traveling around West Central Ohio to help Santa put smiles on the faces of kids at Christmas Time. ABATE OHIO Region 3 held their 37th annual Toy Run Sunday afternoon.  Over 230 motorcycles crisscrossed Allen County to help raise money to buy presents for kids.   Last year, they raised around $18,000 to help provide gifts to over 100 kids.  Besides the run there were auction items, a raffle, and other fundraising going on at the fairgrounds to help as many children as possible this Christmas.

While the in-person toy run was canceled, ABATE of Ohio was able to hold a drop off toy run this fall. Monday afternoon the organization delivered gifts to the West Ohio Community Action partnership. that they bought from funds raised from the drop-off toy run to give 100 kids a Christmas. The numbers were down by 20 kids from last year as a result of not having an in-person toy drive, but some people stepped up to the plate to help out the organization.

A shopping spree for a good cause took place at Walmart in Lima on Friday. ABATE Region 3 organized a shopping event in order to collect toys and clothes for west central Ohio children in time for Christmas.

The 35th Annual Toy Run put on by A.B.A.T.E. of Ohio to help less fortunate families have a Christmas has been cancelled this Sunday due to the coronavirus. Instead, the organization will hold a drive-thru drop off run that will be held at the Allen County Fairgrounds from Noon until 4 p.m. Each county representative will be there to accept donations, and they will accept new toys as well. The director hopes that people can make it out and help the less fortunate.

Volunteers gathered at WOCAP this afternoon(12/17/19) as they prepared for the ABATE Christmas gift distribution this week. Volunteers grabbed bags upon bags of wrapped Christmas gifts off of vans. They then carried them inside of the WOCAP building where they were dropped off. All of these gifts were purchased a couple of weeks ago at Walmart. The money raised to buy these gifts was from the ABATE Toy Run back in September. This year the organizer says they well exceeded their goal.

ABATE of Ohio went on their annual shopping spree in an effort to give kids in need have a special Christmas this year. Close to a dozen people volunteered tonight for the toy shopping at Wal-Mart. They purchased various gifts for a total of 120 children in Allen County. This was made possible through the money raised from their toy run held this September. Over 500 bikers participated which has allowed them to double the number of kids they could help this year. The Ohio District 3 director says it warms his heart to make such a huge impact.

Christmas may be just a couple of days away, but there is an area organization that is not done giving.

The chances of a Merry Christmas for children in our area increasing Tuesday night thanks to local motorcycle riders.