The north wind and rain came Sunday night, but by then all the motorcycles and special cars were safely tucked away in cozy garages. Saturday was warm and sunny and Booger Holler Scooter and Streetrod Club had a perfect afternoon for their third annual Toy and Food Run.

Its amazing how a good idea can travel. When Booger Holler Scooter and Streetrod Club decided three years ago to lend a hand to folks who could use a little assistance during the holidays, nobody knew that in less that 36 months their idea would reach from North Texas to British Petroleum headquarters. After raising approximately $5,000, then collecting 80 Christmas toys and almost 200 cans of food for the annual Toy and Food Run, the club took a two-hour tour of Fannin County Saturday and finished the day with a cookout and music at the VFW.

The registration for Saturday’s run began at 9:00 a.m. in the Bonham High School parking lot. Some of the riders caught up on small talk with friends and some spent more time looking at the impressive paint jobs and and powerful machines. There was Kaleb Walgamott, wearing a smile almost as big as the big Harley he was straddling. Kaleb’s cancer is in remission and he looked like he was having a great time as he looked at all the big bikes.

Another interesting story in the parking lot was the money Jimmy Bellows had raised. A resident of Ivanhoe, Jimmy works for British Petroleum on an off-shore oil rig located 30 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico. Last year he made $400 for the Toy and Food Run by selling Booger Holler T-shirts and do-rags. There are eighty guys on the rig and although none are from this area, this year Bellows collected about $4,200 for the annual event.

“It is the reason…the kids,” Jimmy responds when asked how he was able to get such sizable donations from co-workers. “One guy just came up and said he had $500 for us.” In the end, Bellows had gathered $2,100 by raffling off 16 T-shirts and a vest adorned with Booger Holler insignia. “I think it helps our attitudes to know we are helping the kids and some of the guys probably have a new attitude about me now that we are doing this for the kids.” British Petroleum volunteered to match the amount contributed by their employees, so Jimmy was able to bring in more than four thousand dollars to help some local folks have something special for Christmas.

A little after 10:00 a.m. was time to roll and a Fannin County Sheriff’s car started up the hill east of town, escorting almost a half-mile of motorcycles and streetrods. Some riders strapped their Christmas gift onto the bike for the trek that ran through Dodd City and Windom before stopping at a Kwik Chek in Honey Grove. After a cup of coffee, the riders passed through Ladonia and Gober before taking another break at the Leonard Kwik Chek. Then the run went over the Leonard hills to Randolph, Edhube and everyone waved at Bob Sandel standing outside B & R Bait Shop on the last stretch that would lead to the Lake Bonham VFW.

Christie Glaser provided the musical entertainment while everyone sat back and enjoyed a good meal and conversation. Some riders were club members from Fannin County, some, like Sheman residents Mr. and Mrs. Denny Hagan, came over to contribute to a worthy cause and take a scenic tour of some of the wonderful backroads we are blessed with in North Texas. Some riders said they just heard a rumble coming down the road, so they grabbed the keys and took off. When you start with a really good idea, it is amazing how it travels.

Booger Holler Scooter and Streetrod Club would like to thank the following businesses for making this year's Toy and Food Run a success: British Petroleum, Carter-Wood Motor Company, Bonham's State Farm agents, Wal-Mart, Brookshires and Dollar General in Bonham.

Contributions were also made by the Savoy FFA and FCCLA, Dodd City Pips and the Sam Rayburn FFA.