Helping Santa

Santa will have an easier time filling his sleigh this Christmas thanks to the efforts of Heath Shuler Real Estate company and agents. The company organized the 2nd Annual Santas Sleigh Ride to benefit the Blount County Santa Cop and Toys for Tots programs.

The event took the form of a motorcycle ride that attracted 76 bikes and 130 riders. An 84-mile route started at Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson & Buell and was led by Mike Kirbys motorcycle group Dixie Iron. The ride ended at Unos Chicago Grill where manager Rob Mills provided free wings and drinks for the riders. Unos also donated 20 percent of the proceeds from the days sales to the cause.

The Dixie Werewolves played for three hours and gave away CDs as door prizes. One prize, a mini chopper, was made possible at a large discount by Ernie and Ninas Tools. Winner of the mini chopper was Ronnie Nave of Maryville, who had been joined on the ride by his son, Kaleb, who was excited that his father had won the mini chopper.

Total money raised in cash was $7,000 with another $5,000 in donated services.

Prizes and gifts included a $25 gift certificate from Home Depot, provided by 210 Home Warranty; a $30 Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson & Buell gift certificate, donated by Arrow Exterminating; a $50 Harley Davidson gift certificate, donated by Statewide Exterminating and $300 in merchandise, donated by Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson & Buell.

Corporate sponsors included Foothills Title Services, Kirby Flooring, Galyon Builders, Maryville Title Services, Maple Lane Farms, Mortgage Investors Group, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Countrywide Mortgage and American Fidelity Bank, who all donated the $500 corporate sponsorship. Donations of $100 were made by Heath Shuler Realtors Robin Farmer, Barbie Nease, Angie Kirby, Martha McCampbell and Melissa Stuart.

Other donations, totaling $15,000 including in-kind, were given by local newspapers, sign shops, magazine ads and T-shirt art.

The Santa Cop Program is run by Officer Terry Orr and Sgt, Eric Perrin of the Blount County Sheriffs Office. Last year they helped more than 400 children have a great Christmas.

The Blount County Junior league Toys for Tots Program helped over 1,300 children last year.

For more information on the Blount County Santa Cop or Toys for Tots Program call Robin Farmer at Heath Shuler, 865-977-0770.