Please save the date for the 2025 Madion County Toy Run! 10/25/2025
IMPORTANT CHANGES
Dedicated to the memory of Major Michelle Quintero
After an important meeting today (10/11) some important announcements about the 2024 Madison County Toy Run:
1.) This event will be dedicated to the memory of Major Michelle Quintero
"Madison County Maj. Michelle Quintero died Friday morning, Sept. 27 while trying to make her way into work at the jail from her Yancey County home, where she experienced intense flooding and falling trees.
Family and friends remember Michelle Quintero as a woman with a loving heart, a passion for law enforcement, and a universally respected community figure.
"She was the heart of the whole place," Madison County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Brittany Green said. "She was the person you went to for everything, especially for me and all of our employees. She was the calm in the storm of everything here."
The Major was going to be assisting us with this event this year, and seemed very happy to be involved to be able to give back to the community.
IMPORTANT CHANGES!
Also;
Most of the roads in Madison County have been damaged, and some destroyed. In addition to that, the County Sheriff's office and emergency responders being spread so thin as recovery efforts are still underway the police escorted portion of the ride will be cancelled.
Since many of the children that this event was set up to benefit have now lost family, friends, homes, and in some cases, everything we ask that INSTEAD of toys, that you make a cash donation. This year Toys are the extreme luxury, while some of these children won't even have a bed to sleep in or clothes to wear. ALL FUNDS WILL STILL STAY WITHIN MADISON COUNTY, but will be used to assist families that have truly been hit the hardest by Hurricane Helene to provide the very necessities of life to ensure the safety and health of these children.
We expect some negative feedback in regards to this decision but please know that it was a very hard decision that was given a substantial amount of thought and discussion.
The roads from Asheville to Weaverville and Weaverville on to Marshall are clear and passable as of the writing of this article. That is still a gorgeous ride, so we would encourage ALL riders to come see us, make a donation, and show some love to this devastated county!
Many roads into and out of Tennessee are damaged or even destroyed so please travel with care!