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    A few years ago, Bob and Elnora Hollingsworth, along with Tommy and Becky Lewis, had an awesome idea. They wanted to do something special for the kids in Robeson and the surrounding counties: a toy run.         
    On Saturday, Nov. 8 and 9, the Annual Red Springs Toy Run will take place at the Red Springs Fire Department.
    “This event started with 75 bikers and last year we had 502 bikers,” said Hollingsworth. “Everybody in town gets involved.”
Hollingsworth added that each year the event has gotten bigger and has become one of Red Springs’ favorite events.   
    {mosimage}The bike run begins at 11 a.m. in Red Springs and is led by the police department through each county. The bikers ride from Red Springs to Pembroke, then up Hwy. 74 to Laurinburg. In Laurinburg there is a stop at Golden Corral to take a break. From there the route continues to Raeford with the final stop in Red Springs.
    “We have a chase pick-up truck with a trailer that follows behind us on the route,” said Hollingsworth. “This is in case one of the bikers breaks down or runs out of gas.”
    The bikers are escorted back into town and fed along with their guests. Door prizes are distributed and a 50/50 raffle is held.  
    There are organizations that donate the food for the event and toys for the children.
    Mountaire Farms donated bicycles for the children and Boles Funeral Home donated tricycles and wagons. 
    Proceeds are used to purchase toys for the kids. The toys are given to the police departments or sheriff’s department in Red Springs, Lumberton, Laurinburg, Pembroke, Raeford, as well as the Department of Social Services in Lumberton. The community delivers the toys to the children. A cash donation is given to the kids at the Waccamaw Children’s Home to purchase school items.  
    “The Red Springs Rotary Club is very integral in the toy run,” said Hollingsworth. “They help us and in exchange we help them raise funds for the Waccamaw Children’s Home.” 
    Every year a mother asks Hollingsworth for his assistance in getting her child something for Christmas. He does not mind helping and wants kids to have a great holiday season.
    “We can’t solve the problems of the world,” said Hollingsworth. “But we can make sure that a kid gets something for Christmas.”
    Registration is from 9-11 a.m. For more information call 843-6131.