Oxnard Auto Center holds Toy Drive for Santa to the Sea

OXNARD, Calif. - Nov. 21, 2014 - PRLog -- As presenting sponsor for the 7th Annual Santa to the Sea Half Marathon and Relay race, the Oxnard Auto Center will hold a special Toy Drive from Nov. 24 - Dec. 11 at each of its 11 dealerships. All collected gifts will be donated to the 11th Annual Santa to the Sea Toy Giveaway Event, scheduled for Saturday, December 20, at Santa Park in Oxnard.

“We’re really excited to have the Oxnard Auto Center as a partner in this endeavor,” said Mike Barber, race director and organizer. “I think the dealerships will help us expand our reach into the community, and ultimately collect more toys for families in need at Christmas. Our goal this year is to collect 5,000 toys, from participating runners and through toy collection boxes.”

A designated toy bin will be inside each of the Oxnard Auto Center’s 11 dealerships and will be available to anyone who wishes to drop off a toy. Santa to the Sea race participants are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy (of at least a $10 value) to the race starting line on Saturday, December 14.

Nearly 4,000 runners are expected to participate this year in the half marathon, 2-person relay race, 5K run and 1K kids fun run. All races start at 8 a.m., except the 1K kids run which starts at 8:45 a.m. The half marathon begins at the giant Santa located at 2801 Ventura Blvd., Oxnard, goes through strawberry fields and a new business park before heading to downtown Oxnard and the Historic District. The race ends at the Marine Emporium Landing in Channel Islands Harbor. The 5K run and 1K kids fun run start and finish at the Marine Emporium Landing. The 5K course goes along Oxnard Beach Park to Rehab Point, where runners turn around and then head back to the finish line.

All participants must register before the race; there is no race-day registration. Runners can register online at www.santatothesea.com. For more information, or to register, visit www.santatothesea.com, or call race organizer Mike Barber at (805) 485-7233.

Santa to the Sea is a nonprofit event born out of a desire to give back to the community. What started in 2003 as a toy drive to celebrate the relocation of the world’s largest Santa Claus from Carpinteria to Oxnard, has grown into a robust running event, toy drive and community fundraiser. Santa to the Sea includes a sanctioned half marathon and a 2-person half marathon relay, 5K run, 1K kids fun run, Finish Line Festival and Race Expo. The Santa to the Sea Scholarship Fund partners with the Oxnard College Foundation and the Gene Haas Foundation to award $500 scholarships to local high school students and adults continuing their education at Oxnard College.