Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade - President Bob (Cooch) Kuczera's Column

If you missed the kick off you missed a great time had by all. Thanks to all those that donated food as the sustenance was overwhelming. We had our annual tray of pork and dogs donated by Jimmy's hot dogs, trays of pasta salads donated by many, chicken from Cutting Edge catering, hot wings, pizza, and desserts. We had enough almost to want to do it again on Sunday. So thanks to our kitchen help: Barb, Sue, Vinny and Olivia for doing all the kitchen work. Also thanks to all those who brought in door prizes. We had tattoo certificates from Tattoo Illusions and Tattoo Depot, Chicago Bulls stuff and a few bottles of liquor and plenty of prior years TFT paraphernalia. We could still use door prizes for future meetings, so see your local motorcycle shops, favorite restaurants etc., for future raffle items.

Everyone was thrill with our Anniversary designs celebrating our 30 years of existence. No confusion just simply our Logo Bear on his motorcycle with the number 30 highlighted in the background. Color fronts and black and white backs to satisfied two audiences. We had all the product at the party except for 2 sizes of hoodies. Collectibles was ready with their 5^th ornament, simply black with logo inside, and the second year Crystal, quite the artistic piece. Even though the 07 crystal is bigger than last years piece, the selling price is still $15.00 dollars. We also had the new Biker bell ($10.00), which was our gift in kind to the membership of last year. Both raffle committees had their raffle tickets available for the bike from Oak Lawn Harley Davidson and our annual Sturgis vacation package.We still have some generic TFT patches, membership anniversary pins and a few pink items still forthcoming. We will also have some TFT bags coming to carry your goodies in being donated by Law Tigers at future meetings.

The band Timings Everything brought the Hall down with traditional rock and roll. They also enjoyed entertaining us and they were really thrilled to being part of our Kick off. So thank you to Lee Bailey and Crew.

We had a great turnout with some new faces so hopefully this year; we will make up for two bad weather years in a row. So again thanks to all that prepped the Hall and all those that worked the tables at the front door / product / raffles/ collectibles/ food services and our parking lot security. Thanks for coming back for year number 30 and welcome new members.

So now it is time to saturate the City of Chicago with our product because this is how we survive. The revenue we generate assist us in purchasing toys/assisting those in need and allowing us to pay all our operational cost for the year. So do not hesitate to advise us of any possibilities to retail our product to Chicagoland. Oak Lawn Harley Davidson has received their initial order so you can stop there, if anything is needed in between meetings. The key to our financial success is how well we do selling clothing product, collectibles and raffle tickets. So for all you newbies, the one thing you can do is become proactive in your neighborhoods and friends selling our TFT product. We have some very proud designs and have blasted our 30^TH anniversary on all to sell like Hotcakes this year. For all out repeat volunteers you want to make sure your connects have our sweat shirts and run pins. In Chicago we are known for a lot of things especially the Da Bulls, Da Bears, Da Cubs, Da Sox, Da Blackhawks so lets make sure they know: Da TFT Product to promote the Greatest Motorcycle Parade to assist Children.

So now it is time to get down to business.

The following our general meeting dates:10/5,10/19,10/26,11/2, (11/9- Marine Corp Birthday Party), 11/16, and 11/30. All meetings will start at 8 PM at Stempiens Post

At the first meeting all the officers and committee personnel will advise you of their responsibilities. So you know what their needs and wants are, as we simply do not just show up on parade day. Existing members know the preparation and logistics needed to pull this event off. So be patient at the first meetings whereby we educate the new volunteers. John Bartosiewicz will detail and advise the plans to make the ride down Western as safe as possible at future meetings. He is already mapping his strategies. All officers /committee chairpersons will detail their activities to make this run successful at the general meetings.

Last week George Gora, Santo , John Bartosiewicz and I met with USMC Sgt. Major Carter and Sgt Rivas. The meeting went well. It is nice that Sgt Carter was involved behind the scenes last year, so a lot of the review was Déjà vu. They even provided a few of the wanted USMC Posters and bumper stickers, which have been AWOL for a few years. The same day we went to city hall to some networking with Special Events and Steve Wagner, whereupon Santo, John Bartosiewicz and I met almost took Richard M. Daley to lunch. Kidding! We literally bumped into him and he graciously posed with us.

Can TV Starts this week. So tune on Tuesdays on either channel 21 our live broadcast promoting the goods things we do. It is a live show with call in so tell your friends. We air at 6:30 pm every Tuesday from 10/20 until 12/18. So join Andy, Cooch, George Gora, Santo, etc., and occasional surprise guest for Toys for Tots live every week on Tuesday nights. They still have not delivered our Emmys from the prior years.

North Side meetings. This week is also the first North Side Committee meeting with George Gora. It is Thursday at Dunns Inn at 3456 N Pulaski. Start at 7:30 pm. See TFT date reminders for additional meeting scheduled below.

We have plenty of flyers for your distribution kindly provided by Central Graphics printing and toward the end of October early November we will start distributing our posters.

Please: Do not forget the Frank Moraza Benefit this Saturday. See below.

Once again thank you all for coming back and welcome new members.

Sincerely,

Robert "Cooch" Kuczera

President Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade.

Some TFT Date Reminders

Oct . 2^nd. Tuesday. The No Name Just Friends Car Club is having their Toys for Kids Cruise night. Admission is a brand new Toy. They will be donating the Toys back to us. It is at Toyota Park at 71^st and Harlem. It is from 6 to 9 pm. So bring out your rods and some brand new toys.

Oct 2^nd. First Can TV Show. If not attending the car show, tune in .

Oct . 4^th. North Side Meeting. Dunn Inn --3456 N. Pulsaki .Starts 7:30 pm.

Oct .5. Friday First General Meeting. This is our first meeting. Important for our newbies as all committee chairpersons/officers will be discussing their responsibilities and what their needs our. We will also go over on a grand scale of what happens to make this parade happen.

Oct.6^th Saturday . The Frank " Dawg" Moraza Benefit. We need a huge turnout for this. Frank and his wife Patti and children Sonny and Laura have given unselfishly to us for over 10 years. Lets do the best we can to assist them get their feet back on the ground. As most of you know they lost their house after Franks passing. They were in arrears on their mortgage and the bank repossessed their abode in Braidwood. A few of us helped them moved a few weeks ago. Now all us can help by just attending the benefit. So please schedule a night out this Saturday to help a family that has helped us. We will have tickets at this Friday's meeting or you can buy them at the door. Admission is $15.00 and that includes food and entertainment

Oct. 7^th. Sunday . Red's Cycle Swap Meet. Peotone Fairgrounds. TFT Product will be available there. Will County Fairgrounds. 40 miles south of Chicago off I-57. Exit 237.

Oct .9^th .Can TV Show. Number 2.

Oct 14^th. Kankakee County Toys for Tots. Sponsored by Manteno HOG Chapter. All motorcycles, cars, and trucks are welcome. Starts at Bradley K-Mart parking lot on Rt. 50 . Police Escort out at 10: 00 am. Ends at Sportsmans Club in Manteno. Food and refreshments will be available. Music by Rude Mood from 1 to 5 pm. Donation is brand new unwrapped toy. No stuffed animals. For more info call Dennis Benge : 815-468-3273 or Suzanne Travelstead at 815-573-23853

Oct .16^th. Can TV Show. Number 3.

Oct .18^th. North Side Meeting. Dunn Inn --3456 N. Pulsaki. Starts 7:30 pm.

Oct. 19^Th . General Meeting #2. Stempiens Post

Oct .20 _South Suburban Abate Halloween Party . This is to benefit Kelly Malecki, age 4.It is a costume party by all proceeds aid the young little girl in her bout with cancer .It is at Glenn Makers American Legion Post #1160 at 10739 S. Ridgeland in Chicago Ridge .Pot luck dinner. Music by Railroad Gin. Doors open 7 pm until Midnight. Admission is a $10.00 donation.For more info go to : http://www.ssabate.org/

Oct .23^rd. Can TV Show. Number 4.

Oct .26t^h. General meeting #3. Stempiens Post

Oct .30^th. Can TV Show. Number 5.

Nov.1^st . North Side Meeting. Dunn Inn --3456 N. Pulsaki .Starts 7:30pm.

Nov. 2^nd. General Meeting #4. Stempiens Post

Nov.4^th Manteno Veterans Home Ride .Ride to Manteno to visit Veterans .Food , Supplies and clothing needed for Vets.Depart is from Oak Lawn Harley Davidson. Registration starts at 6:30 am with departure at 10:00 am, Sponsored by AVMRA nd Oak Lawn Hog. For more info see John Bartosiewicz or call him at: 708-917-3275

Nov .6^th. Can TV Show. Number 6.

Nov.9^th. Marine Corp Birthday Party Meeting

Nov .13^th. Can TV Show. Number 7.

Nov.15^th. North Side Meeting. Dunn Inn --3456 N. Pulsaki. Starts 7:30 pm.

Nov. 16^th. General Meeting # 5. Stempiens Post

Nov.18^th TFT Tagging Date. Meet at Mt. Pindos Resturant . Corner of Archer & Pulaski.

Nov .20^th.Can TV Show. Number 8.

Nov.27^{th .}Can TV Show. Number 9.

Nov.29^th . North Side Meeting. Dunn Inn --3456 N. Pulsaki. Starts 7:30 pm.

Nov . 30^th General Meeting #6. Stempiens Post

December 2^th TFT Motorcycle Parade. FIRST SUNDAY IN DECEMBER

Dec. 4^th. Can TV Show . Number 10

Dec. 11^th. Can TV Show. Number 11

Dec.14^th. Debriefing Meeting at Stempiens.

Dec.18^th . Can TV Show. Final