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A.B.A.T.E Collects Toys for Children in Need

Crowds gathered on Gillette Ave. as the A.B.A.T.E. Toy Store parade toured down Gillette Ave.

Crowds gathered on Gillette Ave. as the A.B.A.T.E. Toy Store parade toured down Gillette Ave. (Photo: County 17 / Brooke Byelich)

The motorcycle led the parade Saturday, pulling St. Nick in his sleigh. Children waved at Santa from the sidewalk as the parade made their way down Gillette Avenue.

St. Nick waves to the crowd on Saturday afternoon.

Behind Santa Claus, a heavily decorated truck with A.B.A.T.E of NE WY spelled out on the grille, followed the bikes as masked children handed out bags of candy to the bystanders.

Children excitedly walked next to the A.B.A.T.E truck and handed out bags of candy to the bystanders.
Children excitedly walked next to the A.B.A.T.E truck and handed out bags of candy to the bystanders.

The parade was followed up by a plethora of motorcycles and dirt bikes, many which were decked out for Christmas.

A large group of motorcycles lined Gillette Ave. as they followed the A.B.A.T.E. Toy Store truck along the parade route on Saturday afternoon.
A large group of motorcycles paraded down Gillette Ave. as they followed the A.B.A.T.E Toy Store truck on Saturday afternoon.

Finally, the A.B.A.T.E Stuff the Bus finished up the parade, honking as it rambled past the crowds downtown.

The A.B.A.T.E bus is donated by Coach USA every year to be filled with toys for children.
The A.B.A.T.E bus is donated by Coach USA every year to be filled with toys for children.

St. Nick enjoyed cookies with about 200 visitors at the Gillette Brewing Company following the parade. He also decided to stop by the American Legion on Sunday morning to savor some breakfast with 100 more visitors before departing back to the North Pole.

The A.B.A.T.E Toy Store has been working nonstop the past three weeks to collect new toys for local children. The bus will be parked at various locations throughout Gillette until Dec. 13, when the toys will be ‘un-stuffed’ and passed out to the kids.

To donate new toys for all ages to the ‘Stuff the Bus’ cause, please visit one of the following locations:

Dec. 9: Mountain View Apartments (3 – 5 pm)
Dec. 10: NAPA (3 – 5 pm)
Dec. 11: Sonic Drive Through (3 – 5 pm)
Dec. 12: Crossfit Brown & Gold (11 am – 1 pm)
Dec. 13: Un-Stuff the Bus at the A.B.A.T.E. Toy Store 6001 Mohan Rd. (1-2 pm)

The Coach USA bus is filled with new toys for children and will continue to be available to 'stuff' until December 13.
The Coach USA bus is filled with new toys for children and will continue to be available to ‘stuff’ until December 13.

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