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Annual ride collects toys for Christmas
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Santa and a couple hundred of his elves are expected in Dawsonville Sunday for the 21st annual Buck Jones Memorial Toy Run.

The event, organized by Bikers Dream of Atlanta, collects toys at stops from Cumming to Dahlonega to help organizations provide Christmas presents for children in need.

Jones, a former Cumming police chief who also worked for the Dawson County Sheriff's Office, started the toy drive after seeing a lack of charities helping families with presents at Christmas.

Jones died last year at age 70, but the toy runs continues in his memory, growing bigger each year, according to organizers.

The toys donated Sunday in Dawsonville will benefit K.A.R.E. for Kids.

"Buck Jones was one heck of a fellow," longtime supporter and K.A.R.E. for Kids volunteer Gordon Pirkle said during last year's event. "He's done so much for us over the years, and it's really helped K.A.RE. for Kids by bringing all these toys up here."

Toys collected at the Cumming Fairgrounds will provide presents to children in Forsyth County, while the toys given at Lumpkin County High School go to children in the Dahlonega area.

The ride is rain or shine.

Registration begins at 11 a.m. at the Cumming Fairgrounds, with kickstands up at 1 p.m. to head to Dawsonville for lunch provided by the Dawsonville Pool Room. The ride ends at the high school in Lumpkin County.

Riders are asked to bring at least one unwrapped toy to drop off at each location.

For more information, call (770) 752-9160.