Bill Evans, left, carries two children's bikes and other employees of Eiche Mapes and Company bring Christmas toys to Tyler firefighters Friday afternoon. Herb Nygren Jr/ 121710

With Christmas just three weeks away, local groups are working to ensure no child goes without presents.

A variety of toy drives are set for this weekend in an effort to collect gifts for children in need.

The 30th annual Longriders Motorcycle Club Toy Run kicks off at noon Sunday at T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza.

Organizer Robert Whisenhunt said the event provides Christmas presents for 40 to 60 families each year. The event benefits The Children’s Village of Tyler and other local families.

He expects about 200 people to gather Sunday to drop off toys, before the group heads to the Longriders Club House for its Christmas Party at 2 p.m.

Admission is a donation of $5 in cash, toys or canned food.

For more information, call 903-360-4206

Saturday morning, 102.7 The Blaze will join dozens of motorcycle groups as they begin the 5th annual Blazin Bike Ride and Toy Drive.

The route begins at the Shell station across from UT Health Northeast, 11974 U.S. Highway 271 and ends at the Dawgs 4 Life Clubhouse, 624 Bow St.

“We help out different families around East Texas – Longview, Tyler and Daingerfield,” organizer Ken Mass said. “We usually get well over 100 bikes. We figured this year it’ll be a pretty good day. We’re hoping to help the whole of East Texas. We usually collect hundreds of toys and thousands of dollars.”

Mass said the toy run will benefit the East Texas Crisis Center and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County.

Drop off locations are –

102.7 The Blaze, 212 Grande Blvd., Ste. B100

Broadway Powersports, 2850 SSW Loop 323, 903-595-6288

Mass Connection Barber Shop and Beauty Supply, 602 N. Border Ave., 903-258-0775

Bob’s BBQ, 1205 Pope St. in Henderson, 903-657-8301

The Breeze will begin collecting toy donations for the Marine Corps’ Toys For Tots at Broadway Square Mall from Dec. 7 to 14

The Tyler Fire Department Toy Drive also is under way. Donations can be dropped off at any fire station in the city or any volunteer fire department in Smith County.

Twitter: @TMT_Cory