Cincinnati area kids had something special to celebrate last year. The Toys for Tots cruise-in special, sponsored by Keen Parts, the brainchild of Tom Keen who was assisted by area Marines and local businesses, generated over $20,000 in donations for the cause.
Keen, owner of Keen Parts in Cincinnati, specializes in fulfilling parts needs for Corvette owners. He credits one of his employees, Louie Aguilar, with the idea for a Toys For Tots program in the tri-state area of Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.
"We were driving through Chicago, coming back from a car show, and Louie started bragging how great Chicago's Toys For Tots program was. He wanted to know why Cincinnati didn't have something like that."
Louie's pride awoke the competitive spirit in his boss. Whatever the motorcycle group in Chicago could do, car (and motorcycle) people in Keen's area could do. The idea came together, and the winners were local kids.
To get the program going, he needed a "dance partner." Keen called the Grand Victoria Hotel & Casino in nearby Rising Sun, Indiana, just across the banks of the Ohio River. He was referred to Daryl Paddock, director of sales.
Paddock put together a liberal plan. For every cruiser who donated a toy worth $10 or more, the casino would donate a buffet dinner plus a $10 credit to gamble. Then, he really got crazy. Why not just let anybody, whether they cruise or not, have the same deal?
We stopped at the Grand Victoria to see the program in action. Cruise starting points were open from 9 a.m. to noon in four locations: Cincinnati; Lexington, Kentucky; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Dayton, Ohio. When the cars arrived at the Grand Victoria, Marines collected the toys in large plastic tubs.
Tom Keen called on more than Corvettes to cruise. The caravan included street rods, musclecars, motorcycles, Mustangs, and even classics and antiques.
The result? Tens of thousands of kids who otherwise wouldn't receive presents for Christmas had visions of Santa landing on their roofs on December 25. Paddock opened the floodgates by allowing walk-ups to donate a toy, get a buffet, and a $10 casino credit. Cruising for Christmas. What a great concept. -Jerry Heasley