Toys For Tots Motorcycle Parade Kicks Off Despite Chilly Weather
CHICAGO (WBBM) - It was a cold winter day on Sunday but no snow fell on the Chicago area, as thousands of motorcyclists took the streets for the 33rd Annual Chicagoland Motorcycle Parade for the Toys for Tots program.
The parade began at 9 a.m. at the Dan Ryan Woods at 83rd and Western and proceeded north on Western to DeVry University in the 3300 block of North Campbell.
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Some wore Santa suits, others just had red noses when they arrived at the DeVry campus.
Last year, an estimated 35,000 dedicated motorcyclists and numerous volunteers delivered 45,000 to 50,000 toys for the Marines Toys for Tots program which has been going for more than 60 years now.
Brian Kosinski, volunteer with the Chicagoland Toys for Tots chapter, explains what happens to the donations.
"Everything that we collect here today goes to the Marines and it's distributed here locally in the Chicagoland area. The other toys we collect throughout the year goes to our organization. We still keep those in the area, places like Children's Memorial Hospital," said Kosinski.
Organizers were hoping for a big turnout this year.
The Toys for Tots coordinator here in Chicago says 600 local organizations have asked for toys they can then give to needy children.
Last year, they were about 20,000 toys short at Christmas time.
Donations can still be made. Next weekend, they'll be collecting toys at the Westfield Chicago Ridge Mall.
For more information on the Marines Toys for Tots, click here.
