Riding for a great local cause: Annual Toys for X-Mas benefit and bike run hit the road Sunday
Always doing their part to lend a helping hand to the Fort Myers Beach community, co-owners Lou Caleca, Tim Miller and their staff of the Beach Pub, 1668 I St., is proud to host the 13th annual Toys for X-Mas fundraiser and 12th annual Patrick Stott Memorial Bike Run Sunday, Nov. 10.
After a record-breaking event last year, raising $2,300 and two full truckloads of toys, all for the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department, who then disperses them to needy island children and their families, who otherwise couldn’t afford to celebrate the holiday season, Lou is hoping to beat that record this year.
“Tim and I want to thank all of the beach businesses that have donated an item for the raffle drawings, and all of you who will be able to make it out to our benefit,”?Lou said. “Year after year, we’re always so grateful for all the help we get from the community during these fundraisers, and hope this year will be the best one yet.”
As the benefit at the pub kicks off around noon, the bike run starts a bit earlier that morning, with registration at 10 a.m. and the first bike out at 10:30.
Avid motorcycle enthusiasts, Lou’s and Tim’s bike runs are always great ones, with less stops and more distance, taking riders through some great routes with some twists and some turns, so they can enjoy the fantastic weather while getting some wind through the hair.
The cost to participate in the poker run is $10 per hand, with all of the funds going to local children in need, so they can have a Christmas holiday they otherwise wouldn’t receive.
For those not participating in the ride no worries there will be plenty going on at The Beach Pub all day long while the riders are playing poker on the road.
Enjoy live music throughout the day from Casey’s Houserockers, Steve “The Lucky Dog” Lutke, Tommy V and Sean Bright, all starting around noon.
“We’re always excited to hold this benefit, for all the good that it does for our community,” Lou said.
There will also be plenty of tasty food for donations all donated by Pete’s Timeout as well as a massive amount raffles and 50/50 drawings held throughout the benefit.
“A big thank-you to Pete’s Timeout for donating the food and coming out that day to pitch in and help us as well as all of our other local businesses who are doing what they can to make this Toys for X-Mas benefit the biggest one to date,” said Dina Caleca, Lou’s wife.
Those attending the run and/or the benefit are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy as a donation for the cause.
For more information or to make a donation to the cause, whether it’s an item for the raffle or a monetary contribution, call 765-6102. Lou said if you have a toy you’d like to donate to the cause, or any other type of contribution, he’d be more than happy to pick it up for you.
About The Beach Pub
The Beach Pub has been an island staple on Fort Myers Beach for decades. Resting comfortably right on the Gulf of Mexico, Beach-Pubbers can dig their toes in the sand while taking in fresh live music, cold beer and wine and maybe a game or two of pool. The Pub offers a Mug Club happy hour every Monday to Friday, from 4 to 8 p.m., where purchasing a $5 souvenir mug gets you a free fill and discounted prices from there on out.
Feel free to decorate your mug and hang from one of the hundreds of designated hooks on the pub ceiling for storage until next time, or take it home and fill it up with whatever your heart desires.
A standard happy hour is also offered at the pub every day, Monday to Sunday, from 7 to 10 p.m., where all domestic cans are just $2.25 each. Unwind after a long day with a full bucket!
And, on Thursdays, anyone wearing a Beach Pub T-shirt can enjoy two-for-ones, from 4 to 7 p.m. Hours to the Beach Pub are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Sunday. For more information, call the pub at 765-6102.