FARMINGTON — The 12th annual Whistle Stop Trail ATV Toy Run will take place on Saturday, Sept. 25, rain or shine.

Participants should meet at the McDonald’s parking lot in Jay at 7:30 a.m. or at the end of the Whistle Stop Trail on the Town Farm Road in Farmington at 9 a.m. Everyone must register between 8 and 9:45 p.m., when meal tickets will be handed out and raffle tickets will be on sale.

The event helps to provide presents for families in the Franklin County area, including Rangeley, Strong, Phillips, Avon, Farmington, Wilton, Jay, Livermore Falls, Canton, Mount Vernon, Chesterville and many others. Operation Santa Claus, now in its 39th year, is a gift program that provides toys, clothing and other items to children and seniors in need in the Franklin County area and helped more than 500 families last year. From the first year the Toy Run has generated $42,244.67 worth of toys and cash donations.

The group will leave Farmington at 10 a.m. to ride to Canton and leave the toys, then on to Jay to have a barbecue. Winners of the raffles will be announced in Jay. Riders should bring a new toy (protected for dust) or cash donation. All toys will be distributed locally by Western Maine Community Action.

The ATV ride is jointly sponsored by the Western Maine ATV Club, Mountain View ATV Club, Canton Trail Riders, Brettun’s Wheelers and Webb River Valley ATV Club. The clubs started the ride many years ago as a way of showing landowners appreciation for letting them use their land and to give back to the community.

Many local businesses and organizations provide donations and support for the event. To volunteer or make a contribution, e-mail [email protected].

For more information, call Bob Dalot at 897-2926, Chris Currier at 441-5090, Brian Jordan at 597-2700 or Rene Grondin at 897-5501.