About Us
The Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade Organization is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity. Our mission is to provide toys to individuals, youth groups, shelters, hospitals and group homes throughout the city. We are a separate and distinct entity from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.
All of the toys collected in Chicagoland Toys for Tots toy boxes are brought to our warehouse and distributed by our volunteers. In the past we donated some of the toys collected at the parade itself to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, making us, at one time, its single largest contributor.
The USMCR toy boxes have the red train logo
Chicago Marine Corp Toys For Tots supports charities as well as families and is run by enlisted and reserve Marines.
The Chicagoland Toys for Tots boxes have the Biker Bear logo
Chicagoland Toys for Tots supports families in Chicago and the Chicagoland area and is run by volunteers who work from September until January.
What first time riders can expect
By Jack Voss
The Chicago Toys For Tots Motorcycle Parade assembles in The Dan Ryan Woods, a Cook County forest preserve, located at 8300 South Western Avenue in Chicago. The Woods open at 6AM, no bikes will be allowed into The Woods before 6AM. There are two requirements to enter The Woods and ride in The Parade. You must ride a street legal motorcycle, and you must bring at least one new, unwrapped toy to donate. And please, no stuffed animals on the back of bikes.
Upon arriving at The Woods, follow the directions of the volunteers, and ride through the parking area until the volunteers ask you to park your bike. The parking area is a large circle. You will notice that there is an open lane on one side of the parking area, as this is the emergency lane and must be clear of all vehicles. From the time you arrive until The Parade leaves, you will have time to walk around The Woods and meet the other riders, and see their bikes. Some riders prefer to leave their toy donations at The Woods instead of carrying them to the end of The Parade, trucks parked on Western are for collecting toys. There will be Christian Motorcyclist booths with coffee and hot chocolate, and there will be an area where the official TFT Parade merchandise will be available for purchase. Santa will arrive around 9AM, and will then park for photo opportunities. For any help with questions or problems while in The Woods, look for a Parade volunteer.
At 9:30AM Santa Claus will lead the first group of riders onto Western Avenue, and they will proceed north at a speed of 5-10 mph. Riders follow, riding side-by-side in the left lane. Once the first group of riders leaves The Woods, there will be a short break before the next group leaves. This is to allow traffic to cross Western Avenue along The Parade route, which is about 20 miles along. The Parade will be divided into 4 or more sections, depending on how many riders participate.
As the riders proceed north on Western Avenue, there will be many intersections, alleys and driveways along the route, where automobiles may occasionally try to enter The Parade. All these areas will be patrolled by volunteers and police officers, but all riders should still be aware of the actions of all cars near them along The Parade route. All riders are expected to ride in a careful, defensive manner. Careless and dangerous riding will not be tolerated. There will be hundreds of Chicago police officers and Parade volunteers, both moving and stationary, along the entire route, and they will immediately remove any riders that ride irresponsibly.
Riders must not throw any candy to the children along the route. Children frequently run into the street after the candy, and these actions could have horrible results. This is a strict requirement of the city of Chicago. For the safety of the children, anyone seen throwing candy during The Parade will be asked to stop. If the person continues, they may face arrest. Please ride carefully, no burn-outs, no wheelies, or you will be asked to leave The Parade.
The Parade travels north to the destination. At that point the riders will make a turn and continue to follow the volunteers instructions for parking. After parking, riders may drop-off toys in an area for toy donations, and visit various booths where CMA volunteers will dispense hot beverages. Official TFT Parade merchandise will be available for sale. A stage will be the center for any activities and important announcements.
The Chicago TFT Motorcycle Parade is a unique run in that it is actually, according to the city of Chicago, a motorcade. Few motorcycle runs involve so many riders and travel at such a slow pace through the very center of a great city. It may take a rider around 90 minutes to cover the entire route without stops. Riders go through many varied neighborhoods, and there will be hundreds of spectators cheering the riders. Enjoy the day and ride carefully.
So if this is your first Chicago TFT Parade, we welcome you, we hope you have a good time, and we thank you for your support. Thank you for brightening the holidays for a needy child. We hope you will return and be part of The Parade next year. And we hope that you will consider becoming a Parade volunteer yourself! Our instructional meetings begin in September, so check our website and Facebook pages for times, dates and locations.
One more thing, if you come to Chicago from a long distance and trailer your motorcycle, there is an area for trailer parking, during The Parade, at 87th Street and Western Avenue. That's about one-half mile south of the entrance to The Dan Ryan Woods on Western Avenue. If you have motorcycle mechanical problems, a rescue/tow service is available at 312-882-5846.
emergency information for tier leaders
