The following is a brief of the full story. For the full version see Tuesday's print edition of the Boonville Daily News.

Kicking off the holiday season, Toys for Tots will present a boy from Fayette with a “celebritized” bicycle at the Isle of Capri Casino and Hotel on Thursday, Nov. 20. The bicycle was put together by country music star Aaron Tippin at his Sept. 26, 2008 concert performance at the Isle of Capri and was donated that night to the Toys for Tots campaign.

Kicking off the holiday season, Toys for Tots will present a boy from Fayette with a “celebritized” bicycle at the Isle of Capri Casino and Hotel on Thursday, Nov. 20. The bicycle was put together by country music star Aaron Tippin at his Sept. 26, 2008 concert performance at the Isle of Capri and was donated that night to the Toys for Tots campaign.

Christian Thomas of Fayette was located through Santa’s Helpers in Fayette to be the recipient of the bike. Carrie Jackson, coordinator for the group, was responsible for choosing the child to be presented with the gift.

Each Christmas, Toys for Tots helps needy children, giving them unwrapped toys for the holiday. Danny Widdle, area coordinator for Toys for Tots in Columbia, Mo. said he makes sure every child has a gift.

In each Toys for Tots collection area, the age of a child to receive a gift from Toys for Tots begins at one-day-old. However, the age that they stop receiving gifts varies within each area.

Application forms for a child in Boonville to receive a gift are available at Central Elementary School. Applications are also available by contacting Cooper and Howard county area coordinator Ben Cutler at 660-888-1182 for more information.