The East Coast Car Association’s (ECCA) annual toy run is rolling around the corner.
The 13th annual toy run takes place this weekend, on Sunday, November 13.
ECCA President Bob Widdows said 75 to 100 cars are expected this year.
“It’s getting more successful each year because we have more and more people joining us,” he said. “I think it’s a good thing. We appreciate all the people that support us through the years and all the donations that they give us.”
Founded by past president Eddie Walter, the ECCA holds the toy run each year in November. All proceeds are donated to St. Mary’s Hospital for Children.
To date, the ECCA has raised more than $60,000 for the hospital since the toy run began in 1999. The organization has also pledged to give $25,000 to St. Mary’s for a treatment room in the new Patient Pavilion, dedicated to Walter.
This year, with vehicles assembling first at the parking lot in Forest Park Bandshell, the toy run makes its way through Queens — with a police escort to St. Mary’s — beginning at 12:30 p.m.
The event drew in 130 cars and motorcycles and $15,000 in donations last year.
“Hopefully, we should have good weather,” Widdows said.
Although the toy run typically collects toys to be donated to the children in the hospital, at the request of St. Mary’s, the ECCA asks participants to donate cash this year instead of toys.
Due to construction, St. Mary’s lacks storage space and will not be unable to store larger toys.
Once the new pavilion is completed in 2012, the ECCA said they will resume collecting toys and other necessary items for the hospital during future toy runs.
