The South Carolina Highway Patrol, in partnership with the South Carolina Troopers Association, invites the public to join law enforcement for the second annual Trooper Toy Trot 5K Run and 2K Fun Walk.

The event will be held on Dec. 3, 2005, at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia at 8:30 a.m.

The Toy Trot was created last year by Sgt. Dale Smith of the Highway Patrol’s Piedmont MAIT Unit. Sgt. Smith is an avid runner and wanted to use his knowledge of the running community to help the Highway Patrol organize an effort to assist underprivileged families during the holidays.

In 2004, there were 130 runners and walkers. The Toy Trot netted 12 large boxes of toys on race day to distribute statewide to underprivileged children. Also, around $700 was left over after all the expenses were settled. This money was used to purchase additional toys.

The toys collected from this event will be distributed around the state by Highway Patrol troopers. Last year, toys went to children all over the state including children’s hospitals, the Department of Social Services, etc. This year, a portion of the toys will also go to troopers’ families in the states affected by Hurricane Katrina.

For more information, contact Smith at 864-241-1268 or visit the SCHP Web site at:

www.schp.org.