Hope for Christmas comes to children in the Poconos

Former NASCAR driver Geoffrey Bodine will join ARCA drivers Doc Watson and Kory Rabenold on Saturday for Hope for Christmas, a charity drive for the children in the Poconos.

The event, organized by Watson, helps single parents who are having a tough time this holiday season by providing children, ages 3 months to 14 years, with toys, clothing, jewelry, gift cards, cash and other gift ideas.

Bodine, Watson and Rabenold will be on hand from noon to 4 p.m. ET to hand out gifts and sign autographs at the Checkered Flag Auto Care location in Tobyhanna, Pa. Others to lend support to the cause include Dale Jarrett and his son, Jason, and David Ragan and his father, Ken.

Donations, wrapping paper and gift boxes are welcome and will be accepted until 9 p.m. ET Friday. If you are willing to donate but unable to drop off a gift, call Hope for Christmas at 570-216-4673 and it will arrange for them to be picked up.

Event organizers ask donators not to wrap any gift as they will need to make sure it is age and size appropriate for the children.

Also, if you know of any needy families feel free to invite them. Have them call Hope for Christmas so it can put the child's name on the list.

Last year, some 125 kids received the spirit of Christmas at Watson's event held in Charlotte, N.C.