WFAA’s Santa’s Helpers Toy Drive kicks off at Dick’s Last Resort

(DALLAS– Nov. 24, 2014) Country music legend Randy Travis was at Dick’s Last Resort in Dallas Nov. 20, where his autographed guitar auctioned for $4,500 during the WFAA-Channel 8 Santa’s Helpers Toy Drive Kick-Off Party.

WFAA’s Pete Delkus also made an appearance at the charity event which raised more than $6,000 and collected about 180 toys for area children in need.

Dick’s Last Resort and Bubba Tomlinson, along with Dallas singer Jolie Holliday, packed the house for an entertaining evening filled with great food and great music for a great cause.

Edward (Bubba) Tomlinson II, president of Tomlinson-Leis Corporation, along with his partner Dorvin Leis, have been owners and operators ofWest Endreal estate for over 20 years. Bubba’s band has played at past kickoff parties for Santa’s Helpers at the West End Pub before the pub closed last year. Despite this, Tomlinson said he wanted to kick off the program again this year because he thought it was a good cause that helped get people in the Christmas spirit while giving children in need something special for Christmas. He spoke with several people about holding the kickoff party, including Dick’s Last Resort owner Mike McRae, who was excited about hosting the event at his restaurant.  VIP guests enjoyed a holiday dinner that included a shared appetizer, two entrees and a shared dessert for $30.

“We had an excellent turnout, incredible raffle prizes, and so many generous donations – topped off with personal appearances by Randy Travis and Pete Delkus,” McRae said. “Bubba T. and Jolie Holliday rocked the house. It’s great to be able to bring everyone together to spread holiday cheer and give back to kids in need through the Santa’sHelper Toy Drive.”

Sponsored by Chick-fil-A, Don Davis Auto Group, Milestone Electric and Tom Thumb, the WFAA Channel 8’s 45^th Annual Santa’sHelper Toy Drive runs Nov. 28 through Dec. 22, 2014.

This year, Santa’s Helpers will host several drive-thru events including:

• Cedar Hill -UptownVillage at Cedar Hill – Friday, Dec. 5 from 5 to 10 p.m.
• Frisco – Frisco Central Fire Station andSafetyTown – Monday, Dec. 8 from 5 to 10 p.m.
• Grapevine – Grapevine Train Depot – Thursday, Dec. 11 from 5 to 10 p.m.
• Fort Worth – Stockyards – Monday, Dec. 15 from 5 to 10 p.m.
• Arlington – Don Davis Auto Group, North Collins location – Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Dallas -WFAAVictoryPark Studio – Thursday, Dec. 18 from 5 to10 p.m.

Everyone is encouraged to come by and bring a new, unwrapped toy for boys and girls up to 15 years of age.

Toys can also be dropped off at a WFAA sponsor location – Chick-fil-A, Don Davis Auto Group, Milestone Electric and Tom Thumb – through Dec. 17.

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  bubba t, Dallas, Dick’s Last Resort, randy travis, santa’s helper, toy drive, WFAA