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De-Briefing
Meeting This Friday
The De-Briefing Meeting will be held Friday
at 8pm at The Stempien VFW at 47th Street and Tripp Avenue. Parade
volunteers must return all vests, flags and radios at this meeting.
Tom Froehlich, our Product Coordinator, reports that there are a few items
of 2004 Parade merchandise remaining, mainly some sweatshirts, a few long
sleeve t-shirts, some knit hats and scarves. These items will be
available at Friday's De-Briefing Meeting. That's at The Stempien VFW
at 47th Street and Tripp Avenue.
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Special
Christmas Show Friday at the Sabre Room
On Friday,
December 17th, International Entertainer Richard Black will perform his 2004
Christmas Show and Party, "Rock 'N Blues Christmas"at the Sabre Room
on 95th Street in Hickory Hills, with the Memories Show Band and The
Raven Dancers. Box Office opens at 6:30 PM with seating beginning
at 7PM with showtime at 8PM. Be prepared for many surprises during this special show.
This will be a fun evening for all ages. Tickets on sale via phone at
708-422-8017 and from our website. Advance tickets $25.00, at the door
$30.00. Order yours today! $5.00 discount for all patrons who
bring a NEW toy valued at $10.00 or more. Special discount on
ticket prices to Members of The Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle
Parade.
Richard
Black's new CD will premiere and be available at his special Christmas Show,
December 17, 2004 at the Sabre Room. Skorpyo Record Company will be
donating $2.00 from the sale of all CD's sold at the December 17th show to The
Fallen Rider Fund of The Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade
Organization!
Toy Box
Pick-up Time
If you brought a toy box to a
business or school, now is the time to pick it up and bring it to the Parade
Warehouse. Volunteers are ready to sort and distribute the toys to hundreds of
schools, churches, and hospitals. Any questions call Gina at
708-599-1463. Please pick up and return all toy boxes, NOW!
The
Marines Need Your Help
The
Tuesday, December 14, 2004 Chicago Sun-Times carried a full color photo of
hundreds of boxes of toys covering the floor of the drill court at the Chicago
Toys for Tots Headquarters, the Marine Reserve Center on Foster Avenue. The
accompanying story noted that since the 24th Battalion is now in Iraq,
for the first time since 1948 the reservists are asking civilians to help sort
and deliver the toys. Volunteers interested in helping sort the toys at the
TFT HQ located at 3034 West Foster Avenue should call 773-539-7393 for info.
Read the whole story at
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-toys14.html .
Another case where
the Marines are asking for your help concerns an 11 year old boy named Nick
Waters. Nick lives in Georgia, and has been diagnosed with terminal
Leukemia. His Christmas wish is for everyone to send him a Christmas
card. Open your heart and please make his wish come true. His address
is; Nick Waters, 304 Meadow Pointe, Canton, Georgia, 30115. Thank you.
Parade
Photos
Hundreds
of photos from the 2004 Parade have been added to the Parade Web Site.
New this year, the photos are very easy to view because they are organized in
Slideshows which change the shots automatically. See slideshows of the
2004 Kick-off Party, the 2004 Financial Gift Presentation Night, the 2004 TFT
Parade and more! To see all the new photos, go to http://chicagolandtft.org/parade_pictures.htm .
From
Midwest Motocross.Com
We
received the following email from James at Midwest Motocross.Com; "I run
a dirt bike web site, but go on a street ride now and then, such as Sunday
when I participated in your TFT Parade. I put a story about it on our Web site
and thought you might like to take a look at http://www.midwestmotocross.com/1204/toys4tots_main.html ".
There are actually three stories about The Parade. Thanks, James.
Parade
Comments
"The
Parade was great this year, it was my first TFT Parade."
Rick J
"I'd like to start off by saying, my deepest sympathy for Deputy
Frank J. Griseto and our prayers go out to Police Officer Dombrowski,
who is still under going several surgeries from his injuries sustained on the
Dan Ryan. You do, do your very best to make all of us safe during this
event and hope that in the future, events like the ones that have taken place
this year are not repeated."
Patrick A
"Would just like to say that my wife,daughter,and myself completely
enjoyed our first TFT Parade participation. We have watched for the last
7 years, but finally participated. I would like to say a few things
though. I send my deepest sympathies to Mrs. Griseto on the loss of her
husband, and would like to apologize to the parade marshal who asked me to
stop pitching candy to the curb for the kids."
Mike M
"Participated
for the first time in the Parade....WOW....is about all I can say!
Incredible? Would love to become more involved with the effort."
Laura
" I
am there every year & I love what everyone does for kids everywhere. :) "
Samantha H
"I was
really impressed by the overwhelming atmosphere of the event. I was proud to
be there at the Teamster Truck helping with receiving toys from all the
participants. I'm proud to be involved with such a great group of
people, from all different walks in life."
Gail H
"It was my 1st Parade
& it was INCREDIBLE!!!!! I WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK NEXT YEAR....&
THE YEAR AFTER.."
. AnnaMarie
"I rode my first TFT
parade yesterday. I came from Niles, MI. to do it. I feel it went
smooth"
. Thanks, Snake
"The 2004 parade was my
first. To quote someone more famous, "I'll be back."
Earl R
"This was my first
parade and it was a wonderful experience. I will be relocating soon, but
will fly in for the event. I have never seen so many bikers in one place in
my life and I have been riding for 45 years."
Michael C
"2004 was the first year
that I participated and I had a ball. As a sister of an Active Duty
Marine, I felt that is was my Marine Corps Family Duty. I will
definitely be back next year."
Lisa P.
"If
I may make a few comments, please take it as constructive criticism.
I'd like to come back next year. This was my first attendance of the toy ride. I
have the feeling that this years ride was not typical of past toy rides as I
thought the organization was way below my expectancy. It wasn't until
almost 11:30 am that our group started moving and only moved a short
distance of 100ft. There was a group that had arrived just after we did that
was parked on the grassy side near the incoming gate (across from the
Teamster semi) and they were directed to go ahead of us-not too cool.
Many people complained that we should have gone ahead. There should
have been more portable toilets available. I saw only 4 within a 200
yd span. People were dancing in their pants waiting over a 1/2 hour to
pee. Maybe yes, maybe no, but how about some entertainment during the long
wait-a local band perhaps? Maybe a small amateur band who needs some
public recognition. I spoke to some folks who had been there in the past and
they assured me that this year was not a typical TFT event.
Even though it sounds like a lot of complaints, my riding club and I enjoyed
being there for the cause and what it means to kids and families who would
otherwise not be able to provide gifts for Christmas."
Chuck P.
"Great parade this year
- it was my first time out. So sad that we lost one of our brothers in
the process. May God bless him."
Kevin
"GREAT JOB GUYS AND
GIRLS. THE PARADE WAS GREAT. THANKS."
Jim W.
"I'm a first-time
parader (just bought a bike in January) and I thought the parade was
great."
Dale E.
"My name is Steve and I
attended your 27th and my second TFT Run and had a great time. Thank you for
having such a worth while event to help families/children have a great
Christmas."
"Please consider food
vendors for the forest preserve staging area. Three to four hours in the
cold with nothing to eat or drink is a bit much. Being able to buy a cup of
coffee, to which some of the proceeds could go to the cause, would be a
great addition. Thanks."
Jay B.
"Sunday was my first
ride and it was awesome. I'm not a person to get very
"emotional" but I have to admit I was choking back some tears on
Sunday. To think a few guys started the parade and all of those bikers
now show up with toys. Amazing. It's a complete shame that the parade
had to have a tragedy. Riding along I couldn't believe some of the
a-hole drivers in cars."
Todd E.
"We went for our 10th
year and what a show! Great turnout with pretty good weather."
Julia B.
"This is just a letter
to let you know that I was not pleased with the TFT ride this year, it
was not planned out very well at all. I sat in the park area for 3 1/2
hours waiting and there was no coffee for the riders or anything.
I was also looking to buy a patch and pin which was not available, and
as for a party at the end? What party? A cool cup of coffee
and a hard donut? A cup of soup which was not warm."
Pete C.
"We would like to show
our sympathy for the family and will not be able to attend, is there a
memorial to which we can contribute? Bless you for all your hard work
and I hope it was successful for the children. It makes us all take
pause and recognize what is given too us. Our children were along on
the parade and we hold them just a little closer when we realize how
precious life is each and every day. Thank you,"
Jane B.
"Hello, First off, this
years TFT Parade was awesome, unfortunately, we lost a few of the good guys
and that part sucks."
Sonya
"I just want to let
someone know that the Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade in Chicago was a
disaster for many of us who tried to participate. We arrived to the forest
preserve and were directed in just after 9:00am and we were for
the most part "locked in" the forest preserve for no less
than 3 hours. All we could do is sit there and watch all the
motorcycles on Western Avenue ride by in the parade. Many of those we
watched in the parade are those who did not even arrive to the parade as
early as we did. For awhile there it turned into a tangled mess. I
have never seen it this bad and I can only hope that next year it will be
better organized."
Beth M
"My
husband and I are so happy we attended. Great job organizing the
event."
Laura
"I rode in the parade
for the 1st time this year. Had a great time and will come back again. Great
job! "
Brian L.
"This was my first time
participating in the Toys for Tots Parade, even though we watch it every year
since it started (from 5100 N. Western). I took my 14 year old twin daughters
on two bikes, and it was unfortunate that we were not far behind the parade
when the guy struck that car. And I saw it happen more along the parade route,
cars darting out where they can. I noticed that police were blocking the main
intersections, but I would suggest having volunteers maybe with caution flags
or security flags or vests or something like that on those bikes blocking all
the side streets like the one where this car came from. I remember a few years
back seeing bikes blocking side streets, but didn't see it this year. As
some of these car drivers get impatient waiting and take it upon themselves to
use their judgment, which can make it dangerous in an event like this. I think
also the news can help by letting the public know way in advance to avoid the parade
route with suggest other routes, and by showing the public on the posters
where the parade route goes. I think this will help alleviate some the
traffic problems."
Gary
"Thanks for a great day
yesterday - it's so much fun to play "Santa". Our prayers
are out to the fellow biker's family who gave his life riding yesterday too."
Sandy W.
"I was at the Parade
today and truly enjoyed it. This is my third year."
John S.
"Sunday I participated
in your TFT Parade. The four-and-a-half hour wait was worth it."
James
TFT
Future Member
Finally, we want to welcome
The Parade's newest, future member, Madison Joy, born on November 16,
2004. Vital statistics are weight, 6 pounds, 15 ounces, and
height, 20.5 inches. Mom Becky, Daddy Tom and Madison are all
doing fine. See a photo of the new future Parade member in this
Update posted on the Parade web site. Congratulations! |
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Archived
Updates
#55
Dec. 7 2004
#54
Dec. 4 2004
#53
Dec. 2 2004
#52
Nov. 2004
#51
Oct. 2004
#50
Sept. 2004
#49
Sept. 2004
#48
Aug. 2004
#47
May. 2004
#46
Mar, 2004
#45
Feb, 2004
#44
Jan, 2004
#43
Dec. 11, 2003
#42
Dec, 2003
#41
Nov., 2003
#40
Nov., 2003
#39
Oct., 2003
#38
Sept., 2003
#37
August, 2003
#36
July, 2003
#35
June, 2003
#34
May, 2003
#33
April, 2003
#32
Feb., 2003
#31
Dec, 2002
#30
Dec., 2002
#29
Nov, 2002
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