Warthogs help Kiwanians with Castle of Toys

by Dan McClelland

From left to right were Kiwanians Seth McGowan and Dennis Jones, Warthogs Chris Segard, Jonathan Boyea , Justin Blinn, club president Erik Hall, Brandon Duchaine, Brian Gary and Josh Cassell. Not pictured was Mike Sisto. (Dan McClelland photos)

The Kiwanis Club's annual Castle of Toys program got a huge boost in toy inventory this past week when the members of Franklin County's Warthogs Motorcycle Club donated a room full of brand new presents for local kids.

The county chapter of the Warthogs is based in Tupper Lake, with a number of local members, who include Erik Hall, Josh Cassell and Brandon Duchaine. Other members include Michael Sisto, Jonathan Boyea, Brian Gary, Justin Blinn and Chris Segard.

The members come from three local counties, all spread out in about an hour and one half travel radius.

According to President Erik Hall the club was formed in February of 2013 as a public safety/law enforcement motorcycle club created for recreational and non-profit purposes. “Our goal is the development and furthering of a fraternal bond between active and retired law enforcement officers, military, firefighters, court and correctional officers and other justice system professionals.”

A mission is to assist others and particularly officers, firefighters and the families in time of need.

The Warthogs Motorcycle Club was founded by the Detroit chapter in 2001 and together the organization consists of 89 chapters, across the U.S., Canada and Norway. It boasts 1300 members in its ranks.

The Franklin County chapter, in addition to participating in charity rides and various events each year, continually fundraises and donates to many charities and local programs. Among the ways not for profit group makes money are through raffles for NFL football games, military and police merchandise and souvenir raffles and food sales.

Each year the club selects a different charity or organization to assist. This year the club members selected the Castle of Toys for a big year-end gift.

In the past Hospice, Wounded Warriors, Aubrey Sparks' Cystic Fibrosis campaign, Children's Hospital and others have benefited from the local chapter's good work.

Every club member went shopping at Ollie's in Massena on a recent Saturday and filled dozens of shopping baskets full of toys and other children's gifts.

The retail store offered the club members a sizable discount to stretch their hundreds of shopping dollars, according to Mr. Hall.

“We spent two hours in the store that day, going in every direction.

“It was a lot of fun. The employees were great.”

They purchased over 130 items in their shopping spree and when they all gathered at the check-out counter, amazingly there were only a few duplicates.

Member Josh Cassell's grandparents Dan and Izzy were the originators of the toys for tots program here, initiating it over 30 years ago. It was then called Cassell of Toys. About a dozen years ago the Kiwanis Club adopted it as their Castle of Toys and have been continuing the successful program since.

The Kiwanis Club members were out in force Saturday, delivering their bounty to many local families Saturday.

Mr. Hall said his club meets monthly. “We do a lot or rides, a lot of travel.” He said the members typically ride until mid- to late October and like to finish before the first salting of local highways.

Dennis Jones and Seth McGowan, who are both active in the Kiwanis Club here, joined the Warthogs at the VFW Post Friday afternoon to officially accept all the toys. What wasn't included in Saturday's gift bags will be “seed” for next year's program, Mr. Jones explained.

The VFW post donates space on the second floor of its building for the Kiwanis Club's Santa's Workshop, where contributions are collected and stockpiled throughout the year.

Mr. Hall said before they hit the aisles at Ollie's the Kiwanis Club officers gave them an idea of the kinds of toys that are popular with the various age groups of children. “Ages three to 12 is what were shooting for” on their shopping lists, he noted.

Each Castle of Toys Christmas bag includes three gifts, an article of clothing and a book. A bag is prepared for every child in every family which applies.