Contact: Jack Raudy
(530) 389-9154 or jraudy@foothill.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SACRAMENTO (Dec. 7, 2006) – More than 250 northern California four-wheel drive enthusiasts recently participated in the 19^th annual Gold Country 4X4 Toy Run at Lake Natoma Park near Folsom…an event that benefits needy children in the greater Sacramento area.

Greg Dibble, this year’s event chairman from the host Hi-Landers four-wheel drive club, said that the participants donated 660 new toys and gifts, 24 bicycles and 102 sleeping bags that had been purchased from donations from last year’s toy run.

"Our club has been participating or chairing the toy run event since 1988," Dibble said, "and we can’t think of a better way to share our passion and at the same time give back to the community. All of our club members contribute a great deal of time and energy to this event, but when we see the huge stack of toys and bicycles, we know the effort is well worth our time."

Many members from the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs participated in the event as well as individual four-wheelers from throughout the area. Vernon and Peggy Bullock were recognized for driving the longest distance from Redding and other participants arrived from Pittsburg, Nicholas, Mineral and Grass Valley.

The Sacramento-based Sierra Treasure Hunters 4X4 Club donated $874 worth of toys, gifts and gift cards, much of which was collected by the club’s children throughout the year. "We started the project of the kids collecting cans from our club runs," said Kathy Medley, a club member. "They would then deposit all of the money into our toy can and meet after Thanksgiving to shop at KBToy Liquidators for the underprivileged children. It’s not about us. It is about helping someone that needs it and this helps us teach our kids a life lesson."

The Best Decorated Vehicle trophy went to Keane Sommers from the Gold Hills Posse 4X4 Club in El Dorado Hills and the 2^nd place trophy was present to Robert Stuart from the Loomis-based Boonie Bouncers 4X4 Club. The Gold Hills Posse club captured the annual trophy for most participants with 63 signing up and the 2^nd place went to the Sierra Treasure Hunters with 40 members.

The annual Toy run parade took participants from Lake Natoma Park through Granite Bay and the historic town of Folsom and returned on Highway 50 to the staging area park.

"Now that I have experienced the joy of helping to be part of this simple yet rewarding function, I can’t wait to do it again next year," said Dibble.

Dibble explained that the toy run wouldn’t be such a success with the help of

J&W Auto Wreckers, AA-Fab.Com, Raley’s, Starbucks Coffer of Lincoln, New Home Builders, People Chrysler Jeep of Folsom, West Coast Differential, Pepsi Company, Auto West Dodge and Bouey Termite Service.

For more information on the 20^th annual Gold Country 4X4 Toy run in 2007, contact Greg Dibble at gbdami@earthlink.net .

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