Celebrities Highlight Toys for Tots Christmas Program on Saturday

The U.S. Marines Corps will be collecting toys and donations for their Toys for Tots Christmas program Saturday, Dec. 8th, in Lithia Springs.

Newstalk WSB Radio (750AM/95.5 FM) will broadcast live from The Bar-B-Que House and several activities will delight young and old dropping by to donate.

A giant M60 Tank, along with other vehicles used in the television show “The Walking Dead” and a Monster Truck will be on display from Doug Cole Motorsports. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Bomb Squad Truck will be there again, compete with robot demonstrations for children.

Special guests during the afternoon include Newstalk WSB Radio/Channel 2 Action News Triple Team Traffic reporters Mark Arum, Doug "Fireball" Turnbull and Jason "Banjo" Durden. CNN/Sports Illustrated International reporter Smilin' Mark McKay, Country Music Hall of Fame Disc Jockey Rhubarb Jones and Sam Memmolo, host of the Fox Motorhead Garage television show will also be stopping by to lend their support.  Radio and television star Clark Howard has been a surprise guest at the event in the past.

Georgia Sports Hall of Famer and former Bulldog and NFLer Larry Rakestraw will sign autographs.

The WSB Skycopter Lounge and Capt. Herb Emory with his Mayberry Patrol Car will also be on site for photos.

Nascar fans might want to have holiday photos made with Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 or Jeff Gordon's No. 24 race cars.  Photographer Howard Martin will print the photos on site with toy donations to the Marines.  Nascar driver Chris Cockrum and other competitors from around the area, will be there to sign autographs and talk to fans with their race cars.

Equipment from Douglas County Sheriff Phil Miller and the Georgia Police Memorial Wall honoring all fallen Law Enforcement officers in the state will be displayed by the Georgia Blue Knights. The Blue Knights are also collecting toys from area law enforcement departments to bring to the Marines.

Civil War cannon firings, classic cars, bluegrass bands including the Mars Hill Porch Pickers) and more will entertain as the toys and donations are collected.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department Explorers will assist the Marines in collecting the toy and other donations.

LifeSouth Community Blood Center mobile donor units will be at the event for those wanting to donate blood.

The Faith Riders of Sunset Hills Baptist Church will host an escorted fundraising motorcycle ride.  Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the ride leaves at 11 a.m.  Details on the ride are available at www.faithriders.com.

The Mars Hill Front Porch Pickers will provide musical entertainment as well.

Newstalk WSB and Fred Harris, owner of The Bar-B-Que House, have been hosting the charity event for over a decade. The restaurant is located next door to the Harley-Davidson Store, just less than two miles north of I-20 off Exit 44.  The number for more information is 770-941-1155 and additional details are available at www.captainherb.net or www.wsbradio.com.