Motors 4 Toys collects over 3,000 items for kids
A child going without a gift on Christmas is what’s driving West Philadelphia Baptist Church-God’s House’s Motors 4 Toys drive.
Micky Breedlove, director of the Motors 4 Toys Drive, said the church had already collected roughly 1,000 items a day before the fourth annual drive on Saturday.
“That was a good place to be and a great feeling,” Breedlove said. “When the toys come in we put together one package at a time, one child at a time.”
The Motor 4 Toys drive started four years ago at West Philadelphia when a motorcycle club wanted to give toys to children for Christmas.
God’s House pastor Scott Boatner and Breedlove took over and offered the church building to host the drive.
Breedlove said the event is centered around people who love motorcycles and antique cars who come to show off their toys while in return bringing toys to give to children for Christmas.
Drop-off locations included the Deals store on on Main Street and Boatner Construction on Beacon Street.
To spread awareness for the drive, participants drove through town to West Philadelphia over the weekend.
Organizations that work with children such as the Boys and Girls Club, Crisis Pregnancy Center, and Child Protective Services, come to collect and package the toys.
Organizers will begin delivering the toys Dec. 14 for children to open on Christmas morning.
“We help children the best we can with what we have,” Breedlove said. “These sponsoring organizations that partner with us know these kids and they personalize each and every package. The drive has been growing every year and most people like what we’re doing and want to be part of it.
He said knowing that no child should go without having something on Christmas morning is what motivates him to keep the drive going each year.
“I just can’t stand the thought of a child going without something on Christmas,” he said. “Not on my watch. This effort was made in God’s name and he’s going to bless it.”
Pastor Scott Boatner said the drive has really taken off and that things went incredibly well this year.
“We had around 3,000 items by Saturday afternoon and we were still getting toys on Sunday afternoon,” Boatner said. “I’m blown away by how God has blessed this.
“Children going without anything on Christmas is an epidemic, not just here, but around the world. We’re trying all we can to help in our area and we need the kids in our community to feel love and know someone cares for them.”
West Philadelphia is located at 256 Gum Street. For more information about Motors 4 Toys, contact Mickey Breedlove through the Motors 4 Toys Facebook page or email Boatner at boatner4@aol.com.