Due to the low turnout
that day many of you can still aid us
with by dropping off toys and the purchasing of our Toys for Tots products.
So we thank all the BRAVE HEARTED that day despite the conditions, and all
those in the motorcycle community for aiding us in our mission to make a needy
child smile at Christmas.
Thanks to all the great Chicagoland
Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade volunteers, especially the Officers, the Tier
leaders, PR team aka C&B, our road blockers both riding and stationary,
our sales people both for product and collectibles, our tagging teams, ribbon
teams, balloons, toy committee, all our newbies and security.
The following clubs for 4-wheeling
assistance: EZ Livin Van, Great Lakes Jeep Thing (Do not forget their Jeep TFT
Parade on 12/11 at McCormick Place), and the Mustang Club. The North side crew
for mastering the Reserve Center, which becomes our celebration of another run
done. The Sheriff’s community service parole staff that assisted us with
preparing the Woods. Basically everyone in TFT that has a number and wears his
or her TFT rockers proudly. Thank you.
Also tremendous kudos to the following. The
City of Chicago for all they do as we could not do this without their
assistance. Especially Steve Wagner and the Special Events Staff, the Chicago
Police Department for their patrol guarding the intersections, and Streets and
Sanitation for making sure streets were navigable (2 salt trucks led The
Parade). Thanks to Tom Johnson (Emergency Planning) whose networking to the
media with traffic alerts was second to none. The CTA drivers for patience and
parking. The Cook County Forest Preserve for their continual dedication
to do whatever it takes to make Dan Ryan Woods comfortable and safe. Stars
& Stripes Silk-screening and Central Graphics for print paraphernalia.
United Rental and NES Traffic Safety. All the newspapers, radio or TV
stations for including our public service announcements. Thank you.
Let's not forget all those law enforcement
agencies from surrounding locales for providing both police and fire trucks
for a safe escort. All the neighboring communities that cheered us on as
we proceeded northbound to the Marine Center. To all the businesses and
establishments serving as Toy drop-offs. Lastly, to Santa Claus and his Elves
for making sure the snow stopped at Midnight when they were departing the
North Pole to venture to 83rd and Western.
God Bless you all for safely
maintaining this 28th Annual Chicagoland Motorcycle Parade
tradition to deliver a brand new toy to make a needy child smile. Rain or
shine or SNOW.
