News.bytes Extra, issue 462

Mustangs and burros help Santa deliver toys

They won’t fit down a chimney or pull a sleigh through the air, but mustangs still helped Santa deliver toys to good girls and boys this year.

A half-dozen BLM employees and volunteers rode their mustangs and trailed their burros as part of the West Sacramento Trail Rider’s Association toy drive this year. (text continues below)

It’s a holly jolly mustang.

“It was a great opportunity to support the community through toy donations  and let the other riders get acquainted with the mustangs,” said Jason Williams, BLM compliance officer in the Mother lode Field Office.

Williams, vice president of the trail riders, was helping organize the event when he thought of incorporating mustangs to help generate positive publicity. He contacted other mustang owners and a half-dozen signed up.

The trail riders do a toy delivery each year. “This year was special, with the mustangs participating and the response we had with toy donations in spite of the economy,” he said. Toys gathered are donated to the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Childen.

Penny Schatzal adorned her mustang with a Santa hat

Amy Dumas and Michele DeCamp brought their burros.

Phil Manacho’s mustang joins in a Christmas carol.

Trail Riders dropped gifts off at a fire station.

Jason Williams is interviewed by CBS Sacramento Channel 13.

Amy Dumas, left and Michele DeCamp with their burros.

PHOTOS by J. Orfanos Photography

- David Christy, BLM Central California District, 12/20/10  BLM-California News.bytes, issue 462 -- To subscribe to News.bytes, send an e-mail to: mailto:Join-Newsbytes@List.ca.blm.gov OR visit our News.bytes subscription page.