Bikes for Christmas

[Supplied]

Representatives of Winn-Dixie stores from Marion and five surrounding counties presented more than 700 bicycles to area Marine Corps League Toys For Tots officials in a brief ceremony recently at the Winn-Dixie market in the Ocala Spring Shopping Center in Ocala.

Toys For Tots officials with Philip C.DeLong Detachment 1267 from The Villages, which oversees the area effort, and representatives of several Toys For Tots drives in surrounding counties, were on hand. The gathering included Walt Clevenger, from Citrus County, who is a Marine Corp veteran of the Korean War.

Katie Scott started the regional bicycle drive four years ago with 18 bicycles. The bikes are purchased with employee and customer donations. Scott said the Toy For Tots drive in Alachua County would receive 50 bikes; Levy County, 100; Marion County, 209; Citrus County, 100; Lake County, 125; and Sumter County, 145. She said 21 Winn-Dixie stores in the six counties participated in the drive.

Carla Kelly served as captain of this year’s drive and said that next year’s goal is 1,000 bikes. 

To learn more, go to toysfortots.org