Toy Drive/Bike Run to Benefit Brightside for Families and Children

HOLYOKE — The children served by Brightside for Families and Children will be the recipients of the ‘Hope for the Holidays Toy Drive.’ The three-day event will begin on Nov. 6, and continue Nov. 7, at the Walmart store in Chicopee.

During those two days, toys, gift cards and monetary donations will be collected from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will also be a toy drop available at Indian Motorcycle of Springfield at 962 Southampton Road in Westfield. On Nov. 8, the Toy Run/Bike Ride will begin at 9:30 a.m. from Walmart to Brightside located at Providence Behavioral Hospital in Holyoke, “KSU” at 11 a.m.
The entry fee for the ride will be a donated toy, gift card or a monetary donation.

Immediately following the run, there will be an after party featuring Peter J. Newland and the band Radioxile at The Moose Club at 244 Fuller Road in Chicopee.

Event organizers Bruce Rivest and Melvyn Hook have worked tirelessly to make the Hope for the Holidays Toy Run a successful annual event. Rivest originally contacted the Fund Development Office at the Sisters of Providence Health System about coordinating a toy drive for Brightside. Adopted as a child himself from Brightside in 1970, Rivest knows firsthand the importance Brightside plays in this community. Hook, also adopted as a child through a separate agency, has joined him in the effort to ensure that every child and family that is supported by Brightside has hope and joy this holiday season.

Major sponsors of the event are American Legion Post 338 of Southwick, MIX 93.1, Western Mass News, Indian Motorcycle of Springfield, Haymond Law, Harley Davidson of Southampton, Custom Identity Apparel, Papa John’s, Red’s Towing, ZZ & Co BBQ, Ed Popielarczyk’s Magical Moments, DJ Chico and Clayton Insurance.