The California Highway Patrol collects new, unwrapped toys for children that might get nothing for Christmas. Santa's helpers, Chris Thoman and Bill Graf, decided to get behind this Toy Drive in a big way back in 2000. This year is CAT's 5th year of envolvement in this great project. This year was the biggest and most generous turnout so far. Thanks to all who joined in and to Bill Graf for providing the photos, captions and text below.
On a sunny, warm, Sunday morning 13 Tigers and 2 non-Rootes cars showed up in Santa Fe Springs to deliver toys for CAT's annual CHiP's For Kids toy run. With a CHP escort we left Santa Fe Springs, taking two local freeways to the Industry SpeedZone to drop off 300-400 toys, and spend the day "playing" on the cars, video games, and miniature golf. The ride up the freeway was slower than last year (area commander told escort to "keep it down" after last year's road race), so more like a Christmas Parade this year. Other drivers took being stopped on the freeway in stride and gave lots of waves, honks, and smiles as we went by.
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| 11 Tigers lined up in BofA parking lot loaded with toys, about 25 CAT members catching up on old times, and looking at the cars. | Late arrivals getting set for run. First car w/giant tigers is Cohen's, next is Sage's just in from Arizona to join in the fun. |
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| View of lead escort showing how a Ca freeway looks when all the traffic's been stopped to let 13 Tigers motor on. | Long line of Tigers entering SpeedZone courtyard loaded with toys and trying to find a place to park. Drew a large crowd of on-lookers, looked like some knew we were coming and were waiting to see the procession. |
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| What a Tiger loaded with toys looks like, shot of Chris Thoman's car filled w/gifts. | Group shot of all the Tigers and CAT members who came out for the event. |
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| Shot of Colin Hook, Jane Sage, and the Duncans trying to figure out what to play on first. | Group shot of CAT and CHP, lots of good folks together for a good cause. |