Saturday was a cool, brisk day. On my way to Toy Jam II, featuring the band 13 Yards To Victory. I parked on Main Street in Amsterdam. After a short visit to The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Main Street Billiards, we were walking on our way to the mall and a light snow started falling, and Christmas Music was heard coming from the New Paris Shop. Oh, the holidays are quick approaching!
Entering the mall, we saw the Montgomery County SPCA having their Pet Photos with Santa Event. They had a couple of their cats there for people to visit, a micro-chipping for cats and dogs, baked goods and a wide array of pet treats and toys for holiday gift giving.
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
The Montgomery County SPCA has a wide variety of gift ideas at their Route 5s location, just east of Amsterdam. You can visit them online at http://www.mc-spca.org.
On the other end of the mall was more excitement, as people were anxiously awaiting the begining of the 13 Yard To Victory Toy Jam.
The Toy Jam is arranged by Pat Boles and Mike Riecco each year in an effort to collect new, unwrapped toys for area needy children. They are both area residents, who do this and other events on their own, without the help of any organization or group. “We just want to do what we can to help the kids.” Pat told me. I think it’s amazing the time and dedication these two individuals put forth to contribute to our area. It just goes to show that one (or two) can really make a difference. And they are, for many local children on a Christmas morning which may have not been quite as merry without their efforts.
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
I was in the area & happened to stop by. Although I’m much older than most of the fans, I was pleasantly surprised & really enjoyed the band. I think what these 2 guys are doing for the children is amazing.
As one of the main organizers of Toy Jam II, I wanted to clear up some misinformation on here.
Toy Jam was started by the group Thirteen Yards to Victory last year. They performed at a mall in their hometown, Saugus, Mass. and people brought toys to meet them and get autographs/pictures.
I work with the band doing public relations and this year, I decided to bring them in to MY hometown of Amsterdam. I, along with their manager, Fred Balboni, worked with WCSS to make it a reality.
We got sponsors (Rotary Club of Amsterdam, Reality Check, St. Mary’s Hospital, America’s Best Value Inn, Spinner Productions and WCSS).
Then, we worked to see if the Sanford Stud Farm would be willing to distribute the toys we collected as part of their annual toy drive and they agreed. They had nothing to do with the actual planning of Toy Jam II, but we were very pleased to have them be a part of our event and thank them for helping us distribute the toys.
I am so glad we got a good turnout and that people enjoyed it!
Gina,
I try to be as accurate as possible in everything I write. I tried to speak with you on Saturday but soon realized you were very busy, so my information came from elsewhere.
I spoke to several people on Saturday and apparently the information regarding Pat and Mike was so heartwarming that obviously I did not get the complete story.
I apologize for any misleading information regarding the originators and organizers of the Toy Jam Concerts.
13 Yards to Victory deserves applause for originating the idea, which is commemerable at the very least. The fact that a rising young band takes the time for supporting needy children is amazing and MVG supports all of their efforts.
However, I do not want to dismiss the fact that Pat and Mike have supported and initiated several events themselves for the local needy children.
All in all, this is still a heartwarming story of generosity. MVG hopes that everyone forgives the oversight but remembers the heartwarming giving behind the articles.
Great pics!! What a wonderful time. Way to go to 13YTV for sending such a fabulous message to our youth!! Can’t wait until the next event.
Thanks! We had a great time.