JAY – A total of 104 ATVs participated in a toy run to benefit Operation Santa Claus Saturday.

Many of the ATV riders were members of the Western Maine ATV Club, which sponsored the event. The club has made the toy run three years in a row.

The ride began at the old Ames parking lot in Jay. From there the riders traveled north to the railroad bed and crossed Route 2 to the power lines and back on to Route 2.

From there the Jay Police Department escorted the group across the North Jay Bridge and up the Crash Road to the Mill Road.

The participants then rode along a new trail being built with the assistance of International Paper, and then back to the parking lot.

After the ride, participants enjoyed hamburgers and hot dogs made by the Mount Blue Baseball Team and ran an ATV obstacle course. Each entry in the course cost $1. Those participating in the ride donated either cash or toys. A total of $103 was raised along with toys that were inventoried and valued at $723.

Operation Santa Claus is a volunteer program of Western Maine Community Action, a United Way Agency. The program provides Christmas gifts to low income children and the elderly of Franklin County and Livermore Falls. Anyone in Franklin, Androscoggin and Oxford counties can utilize WMCA’s many other programs and services. The agency is located in East Wilton.

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