Motorcyclists in and around Eastman are polishing up their chrome for a ride that will provide a lot more than just the leisure of driving through the beautiful fall countryside.
The Fourth Annual Eastman Firefighter’s Club Fun Run will be held this Saturday, November 5. Each year, this event kicks off the toy drive the club holds to provide gifts for local children at Christmas.
Firefighter and event organizer Mark Sheffield said the purpose of the ride is to “make sure every child has a toy under the tree at Christmas.”
Sheffield said this year’s leading sponsor is The Leatherman, a business Eastman recently welcomed to town, and that the ride will begin at their location on College Street. Sheffield said he is proud to have The Leatherman as a sponsor and appreciates their help in paving the way for the event’s success.
Registration for the ride will begin at 8:30 a.m. with kickstands up at 10:15 a.m. Riders this year will travel much the same route as last year.
After leaving The Leatherman, riders will tour through McRae and Milan and ride the outskirts of Rhine before going through Hawkinsville and returning back to The Leatherman.
There will be a registration fee to ride. Sheffield said the registration cost also includes lunch, consisting of chicken, potato salad, baked beans, bread, drink, and dessert, at the end of the ride.
Additionally, raffle tickets will be sold for a 50/50 raffle and for the chance to win a number of great prizes including a 50” flat screen television, a Big Green Egg smoker and grill, and the grand prize of an open utility trailer. T-shirts will also be on sale.
Eastman Fire Chief Carl Johnson said he is proud of the work done each year to make the Christmas program, which provided toys for more 400 children last year, a success.
“This is something we started several years ago and have continued doing for the kids of our community,” Johnson said. “There are a lot of people who really put their heart into this program to make it a success, and we appreciate everyone who participates with the Fun Run and the donation drives but especially Mark for organizing the program each year.”
For more information about the Fun Run or toy drive, call Mark Sheffield at 478-231-6699 or Derl Maxwell at 478-231-0799.
