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

President's Column #7 September 2005

A Message from TFT Parade President Robert Kuczera

This is year number 28 for the Chicago TFT Motorcycle Parade Organization.

Have things changed since 1978?

Well, we still deliver toys to the Marines via a motorcade down Western Avenue. Some of us have gray hair and others have no hair. Even though our event is weather related, and it seems that global warming has affected us, we normally have over 20,000 bikes participating.

The Sox and Cubs are still hoping to attain the playoffs. We still use green cards for registration verses electronic formats. We still have tiers and now have a collectible committee. We now also offer financial assistance yearly. Overall, we have not really changed all that much.

Basically we try to keep things simple. We are still a people organization run by volunteers that believe in helping those in need by making children smile via toys.
So what do we need to do to improve?
The same old requests, we still need more dedicated volunteers planting seeds before Parade date. Overall the dedication of our volunteers is committed to the day of the Parade and we cannot be without it. We will always need more volunteers for road-blocking, both riding and stationery, and many other duties for the Parade.
But before the Parade many things have to happen behind the scenes. We need more volunteers to network in the neighborhoods advising how our event happens. We need more volunteers to sell product at other bike or dealer functions, and we need more help for toy gathering and distribution. We need more volunteers to aid selling raffle tickets and collectibles.
Basically we need more volunteers to assist our organization via our committees.
The duties are many that need to happen for us to continue being successful.
As you know we are pretty much tending to TFT matters all year round. This is why we have committees to share the workload with all our directors, other than just attending board meetings. Each officer is in charge of a committee beside their officer’s duties. As members make sure you know who is in charge of what. Ask questions at general meetings of what their needs are for their committee functions.
Do not wait for the Parade date to jump in to become pro-active!
We need your help in September, October and November.
The chairpersons and standing committees are as follows:
Robert Kuczera / Public Relations,
Lester Fortier / Security,
Pat Quinn / Fund-Raising,
Peggy Estes / Front Gate,
Frank Moraza / Toys,
Tom Froehlich / Product Sales,
Tommy Rotto / Tier Coordinator,
Andy Strzemp / By-laws & Collectibles, and
Kevin Curth / North Side Coordinator.
Some of the aforementioned could use help in their duties.
Do not be scared to approach any of us in how you can be of help. If you are shy, you can always leave a message on our Hot-line number at 773-866-TOYS or email us at info@ChicagolandTFT.org.
So as you can see we need you all to pitch in. So start early and often and aid our committees the months of September, October and November.
This organization is all about helping others. So let’s start with ourselves so that we can continue to be the "World’s Greatest Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade".