A Note from The Pin Lady

Well, another year gone and so are 11,000 TFT pins!  To all of those that have them....Congratulations and Thank You!  To those who don't... I'm sorry, but you need to get them BEFORE not AFTER the Parade!  I know you don't want to get one unless you actually ride but the kids don't really care if you ride or not...they just need you to spend your $3.00 so we can buy more toys!  After all, isn't that what we're all about?

The Green Ribbon Ride and Rally

The Parade Organization will again be an official, supporting sponsor of The Green Ribbon Ride and Rally on Sunday, June 12, 2005.  This will be the third year we will be supporting the research into gastro-intestinal and liver diseases. The fun starts at three suburban locations with rides to the loop rally site at Plumber's Hall at 1340 West Washington.  Lots of featured events including food, beer, music, auctions, raffles, and much more, plus a visit from Norm from "Cheers".  Please note that the GR Rally will be on Sunday, June 12, 2005.  Visit www.greenribbonrally.org for info.

I am always at the VIP section, bringing volunteers to help.  We need MORE volunteers in my section!!  Please!!  Why do the tier people from 3,4 5, etc show up so late???   I see them showing up well after their tier is already backed up.  If people are not there, people park wherever they please!!  Thus the back-up in the woods.  IS THIS NOT THE "TOYS FOR TOTS" RUN????  OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE SEEN AT LEAST 50% OF THE RIDERS GO FOR THE RUN, NOT THE CAUSE!!   IT BREAKS MY HEART THAT SO MANY RIDERS GIVE NOTHING!!!   HOW CAN THIS BE CONTROLLED??  WHEN THE TRUCKS ARE GONE, THE RIDERS CANNOT SAY THEY GAVE THEIR TOYS BEFORE ENTERING THE WOODS.   I will never quit the Run, and my complaints may go nowhere, but, I believe there is a major problem with the toy situation.  And people showing up when they choose.  
Caroline H.

Hello,  December 5, 2004 was the first time I rode in the parade.  I will definitely ride again next year and many years to come after that.  
Steve P.

I think you need to up your product numbers...this is the first year since 1998, I arrived at the Marine base and couldn't purchase a pin, much less a t-shirt or headband!!  And I arrived with the 2nd tier...I understand merchandise is sold for a month prior to the parade at meetings, but maybe more should be available to us who do the ride !!  No pin...that bums me out... But otherwise a great time!  
Anon

I would like to thank all the Toys For Tots Members for the collection you gathered at the last meeting for Officer Wayne Dembowski.  It really meant a lot to Wayne and Myna, especially Cooch & #347; Visit. This has been a long and hard struggle thus far. Wayne is progressing a little more each day, but the recovery is still far from being reached.  Myna has been at his side constantly.  Also, just wanted to mention that Wayne is my cousin.  I am a Toys for Tots Member along with my son Edward. Thanks for all your help and prayers.  They are greatly needed and appreciated, please continue to pray for Wayne.  
Theresa S and Edward S

I guess I am one of the "impatient Bikers" who was chastised in your last Update.  Let me assure you that we had our "schedules" arranged to allow "us to make a day of it." We only became impatient after seeing large groups of bikers on Western, who arrived after we had been patiently waiting for approximately 2 hours, allowed to join the parade before people already in the park.  We arrived at 9:00 AM and were prepared to wait as long as necessary.  We had friend who called us while on the parade route and told us that they arrived at 10:30 and after a brief wait on Western, were told to join the parade.  This  was while we continued to wait in the woods!  I understand that the tragedy that morning and the large number of bikes caused unforeseen difficulties.  However, with all the volunteers in our area carrying radios, I would have thought a better job of communicating to the participants could have been done by the event staff.  Had we known there was an accident, or traffic problems, or City constraints, or whatever, that forced organizers to clear Western periodically, I believe the crowd would have been much more cooperative.  People only began to leave when it appeared that we were being penalized for arriving early.   
Keith and Elizabeth A.

I finally had time to sit down and read the comments sent in for this years parade and some of them upset me. It seems to me that some of the riders are missing the point of this event,  " IT'S FOR THE KIDS" .  It takes an enormous amount of time and people to prepare and complete, without a hitch, a parade of this size.  I agree with the porta potty problem in the park, there should be more for this amount of people, as far as the entertainment in the park while waiting, "IT'S FOR THE KIDS"..  The complaint about the amount of blockers, next year volunteer, put on the vest and help keep it safe for your fellow bikers...  The comment about waiting so long before moving from the park, in case you didn't notice, there were 45,000 bikes, not all can move at once, but we all can participate ..  I realize we had a tragedy during this years parade, Frank Griseto lost his life, our deepest sympathy goes to his family, and officer Dombrowski, who is still in the hospital, we pray he has a full recovery.  There were a few other mishaps on the way, but as far as the purpose of the parade, people we done good.   I have to commend all the people who participated and helped make it happen for the kids who have less than we do.  THANK YOU & remember  "IT'S FOR THE KIDS"    
Fireman on the Santa Fe Train,  Rick

On the 5 of December I and ten other atv (4 wheelers) showed up with the intentions of riding, with toys for tots, just like any other year.  For some odd reason this year we were rejected. The Chicago Police sargents and fellow officers, did not have problems with us riding, just as long we had transportation at the end to get them back, which we did like any other year.  We were told by fellow workers "no registration, no ride".  Since when do 4 wheelers get singled out, FOR KIDS!   Past years pics showed kids on dirt bikes and other motorized vehicles, why does this year have to be different,  come on now, where is the CHRISTMAS SPIRIT ?  ITS FOR TOYS FOR TOTS!!!  Thanks, concerned riders.  
Tom G.

Please add me to your e-mail list.  Also great ride this year.  
Scott L.

I was at the Parade today and truly enjoyed it. This is my third year.  
John S.

You guys are doing a hellofajob for the kids and keep up the great work. See you next year!  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!   
Mark D.

Anthony S obviously does not ride. Furthermore, if he didn't see or hear about the event, he must live in a cave without communication with the real world. As I rode the full parade route, I noticed many angered cagers stopped and annoyed by the 45,000 thoughtful people who rode by full of the Christmas spirit. How did they not know about the annual event-its the first Sunday in December-always.  I hope to be part of the next years event and I hope another attendance record will be broken.  
Chuck P.

Archived 
Updates

#57
Jan..4 2005

#56
Dec.14 2004

#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