Toys for Tots Show November
26, 2000
Ed Cicio and Alexander Sosiak braved the cold and driving rain to participate
in the second annual Toys For Tots Run November 26, 2000. The East Coast Car Association
hosted the event. Participation was down from the previous year due to the inclement
weather, but enthusiasm was not. For this good cause, Ed was willing to soak his
immaculate 1996 Opal Opalescent Mark VIII as was Alexander willing to get to get
a few raindrops on his clean 1998 White Pearlescent Collector's Edition. The event
is to benefit the St. Mary's Children's Hospital in Bayside Queens New York. This
hospital treats all sorts of children with debilitating diseases such as cerebral
palsy. Often these unfortunate children are there long term. The run started in
Glendale Queens on Otto Road. The procession of cars was led by a fire truck and
police car, flashing lights ablaze, eleven and a half miles through the streets
and highways of Queens to the hospital in Bayside. The parade had right of way
all the way. The participants did not need to stop for any lights. If you ever
wanted to run a red light, this was your legal opportunity to do so. Alexander
had an opportunity to run his alternating high beams and strobes on his car. Non-participant
cars did not dare to cross in front of the path of the Mark VIII with flashing
lights. They are probably going to write the mayor, though, complaining that the
city is spending too much money on luxury police cars! The hospital administrators
and especially the children were happy to see the water logged participants of
the run arrive at the hospital. A slightly soggy Santa from the New York Fire
Department greeted the children who gathered in the auditorium. The childrens'
eyes became big as saucers when they saw the hundreds of toys crowded onto the
stage. The event will be held again next year. Hopefully more LOD members will
participate next year, rain or shine. But let's hope it will be shine.
Photos by Ed Cicio and Alexander Sosiak
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