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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SACRAMENTO -- (Oct. 27, 2007) – It doesn’t matter whether you drive a sport utility vehicle (SUV), four-wheel drive pickup, or a special-built rock crawling rig, the Sacramento-based Hi-Landers four wheel drive club invites you to join them for their 20^th annual 4X4 Gold Country Toy Run on Saturday, Dec. 1, beginning at Lake Natoma Park near Folsom.

According to Greg Dibble, one of the event organizers, the annual four-wheel drive toy run benefits local children’s charities.

"This event just seems to get bigger and better every year," said Dibble, "and the less-fortunate children in the Sacramento region will have a happier Christmas because of the generous efforts of our participants."

There is no cost to participate in the parade-like toy run; however, each participant is asked to bring a new unwrapped toy with a minimum value of $5. Toy run vehicle dash plaques will be on sale for $2 each.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the parade will start at 10 a.m. (rain or shine). The Gold Country Toy Run will take participants from Lake Natoma, north on Hazel Avenue to Douglas Boulevard. The group will then turn right on Auburn-Folsom Road, continue over the historic Rainbow Bridge, through the town of Folsom to Highway 50 and return to the park staging area. At 11 a.m., the judging will begin for the best-decorated vehicles followed by a prize drawing at noon.

Dibble said there will be coffee and hot chocolate available at the beginning of the toy run and food and drinks will be on sale at the conclusion of the trip. In addition, Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive at approximately 11 a.m. to listen to requests from all of the children.

Anyone wishing to simply drop off a gift is encouraged to visit the Lake Natoma staging area between 8:30 a.m. and noon.

"Our annual toy run is a truly joyous experience for everyone involved," said Dibble. "Children often ask nothing for themselves, but will ask Santa to bring new shoes for little sister or a new coat for their mom."

For more information on the 20th annual Gold Country Toy Run, contact Rick Stephens at (916) 849-4018 or Greg Dibble at (916) 496-1829 or email Greg at gbdami@earthlink.net .

###

(Note to Editors: For a JPEG photo of the annual 4X4 Gold Country Toy Run, contact Jack Raudy at (530) 305-9742 or email jraudy@foothill.net ).