2007 Motor4Toys -- the Fourth Annual Charity Exotic, European, and Classic Car Show

The holidays sneak up on us every year. Before we know it, the turkey has been served and the department stores are having the craziest sales of the year. Yup, the holidays are here and Chrismas is just around the corner, and that means 'tis the season to give to those who aren't as lucky as you.

I drove over 100 miles with three other MINI owners on December 2 to take part in one of the biggest Southern California automotive-based charity toy drives. This is the third year I've participated in this toy drive to help the families all over Los Angeles. This toy drive will benefit the Lost Hills Sheriff's Department Booster Club Toy Collection, the Carlsbad Boys and Girls Club, plus Chips For Kids, the Los Angeles Fire Department Program, the LAPD program, and individual orphanages. Over 10,000 toys were collected on this day alone, which put a huge dent in Motor4Toys goal of 15,000 by the end of the year. Organizers of the event hosted a raffle and auction that bolstered over $20,000 in donations that will be spent on more toys.

Before I get any further into this year's event, let me rewind a bit to tell you more about a small side project of which I'm most proud. For last year's toy drive, I pulled together help from my co-workers, family co-workers, family, and friends with a goal to "Fill My MINI." My MINI Cooper was about 70-percent filled with toys for me to carry to the 2006 Motor4Toys drive. This year I wanted to do it again, and for the last few weeks before the big day I collected over 70 toys, which filled the MINI from ceiling to floor. I wasn't alone in my quest; two other MINI owners also took part in the "Fill My MINI" project. Together we donated over 150 toys.

The Motor4Toys goal could only be made possible due to the support of many online auto-enthusiast-based communities. Over 1000 owners -- ranging from the Lamborghini and Ferrari clubs, Volkswagen lovers, cruising low-riders, and the one of a kind drift cars -- showed their support, stuffing the Countrywide Financial parking lot and eventually overflowing into neighboring lots.

There was a lot to see at the event. Santa walked the rows of flashy cars and took time to pose with children. The famous Pink's Hot Dogs were on hand to keep our bellies full. The Ferraris made the biggest showing, but it was the hidden classics among these exotics where the polished Cobras, the classy Volvo, heavily chopped Ford rat-rod, and the 1969 Lola T70, that drew the crowds.

This is one of those events in which I can't wait to take part every year. There's nothing better than free car show with a goal -- to bring a smile to a child's face for the holidays.