 
              |
 | | racing information |  |
| press releases & stories | |||
 | |||
|
Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade
. Warehouse: 8900 Odell Bridgeview, IL 60455 Fax and Phone: 708-598-4909 Email: info@chicagolandtft.org www.chicagolandtft.org shop.chicagolandtft.org
November 16, 2012 Lester Fortier President Thomas Dertz Vice President Peggy Estes Secretary Wendy Langys Treasurer Dennis Hedderman Sergeant at Arms Debbie Giampa North-side Coordinator Joe Ziman Product Coordinator Joy Black Tier
Coordinator Maynard Marsh THE MOTORCYCLES ARE ON THE TRACK A different kind of
horsepower will be allowed
on the track
at Maywood Park This Friday, November 16, 2012, Maywood Park kicks off their toy drive to help collect toys for the 35th Annual Chicagoland
Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade. Bikers are encouraged to ride to
the park by 6:00pm for a
first ever chance to ride their motorcycles around the track. Maywood Park has never allowed motorcycles on the track but want to provide a unique experience
for those who come out to support Chicagoland
Toys for
Tots Motorcycle Parade. To help with the
Toy Drive, Maywood
Park
will
also offer everyone who
brings
a
toy
on
live
racing
nights
(Thursday and Friday nights) free admission and $5 off the Winners Circle Dining Room Buffet – from November 16 – December 20. Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle
Parade is excited to celebrate its
35th Anniversary with
Maywood Park. While many toys are also collected from drop
box locations all over the
Chicagoland
area, the main event is the parade. This year the parade is on
December 2nd; always on the first Sunday of December.
Every year, Chicagoland bikers meet at Dan
Ryan Woods on
a street-legal motorcycle with a toy to donate. There is no additional fee or cost. There is no sign- in or registration. The parade begins at Dan Ryan Woods (83rd & Western) with bikes lining up at 6:00am and rolling out at 9:30am.
Since a
single group of
20,000 motorcyclists would severely hamper
normal traffic, bus routes, and emergency vehicles,
the parade is divided into 4 or 5 groups
(called Tiers).
The parade
begins
with Tier
1,
and
then an interval of approximately 15-20 minutes of normal traffic
is provided before Tier 2 is released. The parade ends at DeVry University Chicago
(Western
&
Roscoe)
with overflow/alternate parking
at
Lane Tech High School. Remember, the Parade could last up to 5 hours. The annual parade helps
support the United States’
Marine
Corps Reserve’s Toys
for
Tots th Bylaws program (in their 65 year). Both programs ask that you remember a few things when deciding on a toy to donate: toys are collected for children of all ages and some of
these children are ill or are in temporary homes that may not allow stuffed animals. Remember that many teenagers and young adults
also need help at Christmastime. And, don't forget
the batteries; batteries can
be
taped securely to the unwrapped toy. Please, no
stuffed animals but gifts for teenagers are always welcome. Leading up to parade day, riders eagerly watch the weather so that
they
can dress appropriately and prepare their
motorcycles too.
These bikers don't wait until the night before to discover that their
bike needs work. They are resourceful and prepared for anything! And always remember to
ride safe! “It all started on a cold Chicago winter day in December 1978, a group of six friends, led by
Vietnam Veteran Ed ‘Aminal’ Wisniewski, jumped
on
their motorcycles to deliver presents to needy children. Little did they know that the kindness in their
hearts would
become one of the biggest charitable traditions in Chicago!” ###
|
