Ricky Smith’s Audio Hosts Very Successful Toys For Tots

LAFAYETTE, LA (12.07.2020) – The Ricky Smith’s Audio location in Lafayette hosted a tremendously successful Toys For Tots event on Saturday, December 5th. Shortly after the store opened at 9AM people began entering the store with toys to add Christmas joy for many youngsters in the area.

The Ricky Smith’s Audio store front in Lafayette Louisiana.

Chad Neveu related, “People started bringing toys right after we opened and a steady flow of people with presents for area youngsters continued until the actual event ended at 2PM. The area LA Jeepers Club participated with us in the event and one of their members was dressed as Santa and another as an Elf. At the end of the day we had collected well over 100 toys that filled several of the large Toys For Tots Marine Corps Reserve boxes.”

Areas inside the store were set up for the Holidays and the Toys for Tots event.

In past years the South College Shopping Center businesses joined together for a Santa Sleigh Christmas event in the center’s parking lot. In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic that event was cancelled this year.

An area in the showroom was set up for people to see Santa who actually was a member of the LA Jeepers Club. This image was taken early in the event when only a small portion of the toys had arrived.

Continuing, Neveu offered, “Without the traditional Santa Sleigh event in the center we wanted to provide some cheer for area youngsters and holding a Toys For Tots event seemed like a great opportunity. In the past we have co-hosted events with the community minded area LA Jeepers Club. With their help the Toys For Tots event came together. They had several members helping in the store along with Santa and his Elf.”

When the event was over at 2 PM well over 100 toys had been donated at the Toys For Tots event.

Following the devastation from Hurricane Laura in Lake Charles the LA Jeepers Club hosted a drive for supplies to provide aid for residents in early September. That drive for supplies and tools was held in the parking lot in front of Ricky Smith’s Audio. Other Jeep focused events have also been held in the parking lot at Ricky Smith’s Audio.

Members of the LA Jeepers Club gathered for a photo during the Toys for Tots event.

“Aftermarket upgrades for Jeep vehicles are a very bright spot across the 12volt industry. We have added a variety of products to the rides of several members of the LA Jeepers Club and other Jeep owners in the area at our 3 locations in Southern Louisiana. Jeepers are very passionate about their rides and we at Ricky Smith’s Audio share their passion for upgrades on vehicles of all types including marine and powersports,” Neveu concluded.

Byron Jensen, a member of the Ricky Smith’s Audio Team, is pictured with Santa and his lovely Elf.

In 1977 Ricky Smith opened his doors in Lafayette, LA in the South College Shopping Center where the flagship store remains today. In the forty-plus years since the business has expanded throughout Southern Louisiana and now boasts locations in Abbeville and New Iberia as well as an in-house service department.