Over 500 people gathered at the prestigious Havana Club in Baltimore, Maryland on December 9th for Jim Seay’s Annual Toys for Tots c
harity event.
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This year, the affair expanded its charitable reach to include the United States Marines Toys for Tots Program as well as fulfilling Eric Flynn Jr.’s dream of going on a Disney Cruise. Eric is a resilient six year old boy who lost both of his legs due to a medical condition. Jim Seay met Eric by chance at a Baltimore Ravens’ game and was struck by the boy’s inspirational smile in the face of a tough situation.
Special guests included Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens Michael McCrary, Jonathan Ogden, and Brad Jackson, Ravens Cornerback Ladarius Webb, Ravens Linebacker Jameel McClain, Steve Geppi, J
ames Piper Bond, Christian Johanssen, Scott Donohue, Cory Ruppersberger, Jen Seidel, Pat and Jeanine Turner, Downtown Diane, Sara Ingram, Heidi Klotzman, Crystal Milana, and Candace Nadia.
Friends of the hosts contributed by donating new, unwrapped toys as well as generous cash donations. By the end of the night, over two full truckloads of toys were collected for Toys for Tots and thousands of dollars were raised, ensuring Eric his once-in-a-lifetime cruise experience.
The event was sponsored by Jim Seay’s company, Premier Rides, Scott Goedeke of Churchville Kitchens and Steve DeCastro of The Havana Club & Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Appreciation goes out to Glenwood Jackson Photography for providing spectacular, professional photography services, Michael McCrary for spreading holiday cheer as Santa Claus, and of course the volunteers who dedicated many hours of work and planning to pull the successful event together.
This year, hundreds of children in our own local Baltimore communities will know the simple joy of opening a holiday gift this season. The hosts encourage all members of the local community to contribute their time or money to better the holiday season for all.
ABOUT PREMIER RIDES, INC.
Premier Rides is best known for its high-tech magnetic launch roller coasters. The company is also a global supplier of traditional roller coasters, observation wheels, towers, water rides and custom designed attractions. Premier’s service division offers engineering support, complete ride and train rehab, and it maintains and offers spare parts supply on a 24-hour emergency basis. The company is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland and has additional U.S., European, and Asian offices. For more information, please visit www.premier-rides.com or call +1-410-923-0414.
ABOUT THE TOYS FOR TOTS FOUNDATION
The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. For more information on how to donate, visit www.toysfortots.org
Images from top:
1. Sara Ingram, Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl Champion Michael McCrary, and Jim Seay
2. Kevin Wesner of UBS Financial, Playboy Model/ Actress Crystal Milana, and Brian Jarosinski of Gateway Capitol
3. Eric Flynn Jr. with his hero, Joe Flacco, after a Ravens’ game this season.
4. Lacey Morley and Christian Johansson, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development
5. Debbie Zittel and Scott Donohue
