A Jacksonville bar is collecting donations for its annual shop with a biker holiday tradition.
Club 217 co-owner Tracy Wood says the bar’s charitable mission of providing Christmas presents to needy boys and girls in Jacksonville started five years ago.
According to Wood, the effort has picked up assistance from the community that more than 120 have taken home presents over the last two years.
“We basically have people send in letters, letting us know why they are down and out. We review those letters and end up putting a lot of smiles on the faces,” says Wood.
Wood says emotions will be running high for everyone involved with the event.
“We give each kid $100 and they meet up with the bikers. The biker takes them to the store and lets them shop up to their percentage. They can pick out whatever they want. It is wonderful. A lot of people leave in tears,” says Wood.
The event starts at 1 p.m. on December 17th at Shopko.
In past years, the bikers have met with Santa at the Jacksonville Fire Department on their way to the store.
As an extra incentive to donate, businesses that pitch in over $250 will have their name put on a t-shirt. Contact Club 217 for further information.