Hey all you sleighbell totin' Motorin' MINIacs!

The proverbial frost is on the pumpkin and though we are having some bodacious late fall weather, that's bound to come to a close soon enough, replaced by that white, fluffy stuff that kicks off the annual Toy Drive seaon! Huddle up, 'cuz we've got to start plannin' for the biggest donation yet! (If you haven't participated in one of these events, check out past threads to get up to speed.)

The past couple years we've donated to Gary the Pirate's Toy Fund in Rochester (http://piratetoyfund.org/), according to the website "the only nonprofit organization in the country dedicated to donating toys year round to children in need in our community." This toy drive is unique in that everything that's donated stays in the community for local kids in need. We've loaded MINI sleighs and delivered to Gary's warehouse the last two years.

When I started this event two years ago, I 'toyed' with the idea of finding a simlar outlet for our goodwill in the Buffalo area and alternating donations by year between Buffalo and Rochester to reflect (in general) our membership area. That is still a possibility if we can find a worthy cause in Buffalo.

In Rochester, our group has benefitted greatly from our member Mighty Mo and the participation and hospitality of the Rochester Fire Department he works with. We have been able to stage from the Engine 12 Firehouse on Wisconsin Street. We've even been lucky enough to have a fire engine escort from the firehouse to Gary's warehouse, allowing us to Motor as a group to our destination. We've had great participation from MINIacs and the Rochester Fire Department!

All that said, our arrangement with Gary last year was a little less than satisfactory, at least for me. As opposed to the first year where we made a 'human chain' and passed gifts up the line to the warehouse, last year Gary had each MINI full of gifts drive up,  offload, and get outta the way. It was very efficient, but lost a little of the spirit of the event in my opinion. Of course, Gary and his team are extremely busy that time of year so maybe he was responding to the stress and weariness that comes from being happy for so many weeks in a row (I know I couldn't do that!). And of course, this is really about the kids who benefit more than anything else.

In the past, we've done this event on the second or third Saturday in December and of course, we're always subject to nasty weather, which can complicate things even more. (The first year, Mighty Mo had to plow a lane through Gary's lot or we wouldn't have been able to make our delivery!) Obviously, the delivery date has to work for the recpient so we have to work with them on when they can accept us. After the event, whoever's wanted has gathered at the Old Toad for a bite and a swig and a little holiday cheer.

So....the questions we need to resolve by this time next week (11/22) are:
1.  Do we want to continue donating to Gary the Pirate's Toy Fund in Rochester?
2.  Do we want to find another worthy charity in Rochester for this year?
3.  Do we want to explore / find a worthy charity in the Buffalo area? (If so, we need to make arrangements with them, which I am willing to do, but I would welcome suggestions!)
4.  Lastly, what date would we want to shoot for so that people have sufficient time to conspire with co-workers, friends, and family to collect several MINIs full of loot for the cause?

Please use the forum to kick ideas around this week. Let's see what people think so we can be prepared and well on our way by Thanksgivng! Thanks in advance for your hearty and hefty participation--it's a great way to give something back to our communities!