I know some of you guy have made it to past Toys for Tots Events

Great Lakes JeepThing's 10th annual Toys for Tots
Dec 14th 2008
Line up begins at 8:00am
Start time 10:00am (be there early!)
Downtown Chicago
Start point McCormick place parking lot "B" (truck marshalling area)
Contact Kevin Gray
E-mail x-zr2@hotmail.com
Web site www.gljt.org
IMPORTANT: Entry fee is at least one BRAND NEW toy still in the original packaging! Please do not ask to participate if you are empty handed.


It's that time of year again in the Chicago area. Time to start the buzz of one of the biggest and most important 4x4 events of the year. GLJT's Toys for Tots parade. Five years ago in 2003 our little event officially exploded into something much bigger than just us. Now, this event has grown into something that belongs to the 4x4 community as a whole. With 250 vehicles, over 500 people, and 20 different clubs represented. Funny to think that just 10 years ago the first parade included nothing but GLJT members, and totaled to about 15 jeeps. Now this event has multiplied several times over in attendance, has been covered on local TV networks, newspapers, and escorted by Chicago police.

This year we will be starting in McCormick Place parking lot "B'. Located off the 31st street exit from Lake Shore Drive. The parade will leave at 10:00am SHARP! So please get there early enough to have time to get those Christmas decorations on your vehicle. Did I forget to mention decorations? The parade is never complete without them. Some participants have really gone all out for this event. Decorating their jeeps like Santa's sleigh, or leaving no piece of sheet metal on the Durango untouched.

That leads up to the other thing that participants are highly encouraged to do. While the entry fee is at least one toy, please try to bring more than just one. Participants always come with vehicles full to the top with donations from friends, family, and coworkers. Posters are available at GLJT meetings for making your own 'drop box'.

Once attendees get there and are ready to leave at 10 we head north on Lake Shore Drive to Foster Ave. Exit on Foster, and take Foster west to the US Marine headquarters for toy drop off. Be sure to have your CB radio on during the drive. We'll be on channel 4. If you've never seen 300 decorated 4x4's being escorted down LSD by Chicago police ... you just have to be there. It's a breathtaking site, especially when one considers the cause that this is for.

If for some reason anyone is unfamiliar ... the Toys for Tots foundation is run by the US Marine corps. It was put into place to help raise toys as Christmas presents for needy children. I think there are a lot of people here that have it better than most, it's important to remember that, and not take it for granted. Every child deserves at least one new present for Christmas. With your help we can make that happen. If you come out and ride with us, you will make a difference. And you might get your mug on the nightly news!

Line up at 8:00!!

There will be a short but sweet driver meeting at 9:45 before the parade leaves. I'll be in the middle of the parade with a bullhorn to announce final details before we leave.

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD!!

I won't be able to make this. I do the 20 mile T for T motorcycle parade along Western Ave in Chicago on Dec 7th. This is the largest T for T motorcycle parade in the nation. 10,000 + bikes made the event last year, and history indicates this year should be even bigger. This is a great thing you people are doing as well. Enjoy and be safe! The kids are counting on you!

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Illegitima Non carborundom!

Thanks

I know what you are talking about The club for the last 5 years has help Block streets. We have not hear from the Bikers this year

I have already done the Tows for Tots Parade http://towtrucksfortots.com/

First year 350 Tow Trucks.

Talking to one of the biker that was helping run the event and he was saying number are going to be down this year

Be safe out there

I hope to be there with tons of toys. I've never gotten to drive in any Toys for Tots events yet, but am excited to do something to spread the holiday cheer to those less fortunate.

Anyone else from LOST going?

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2005 Liberty Sport 4x4

Frankenlift; Skink Sliders; Skid Row front skid; Mopar trans, t-case, and gas tank skids; f/r recovery points; Cobra 75 WX ST; Renegade light bar; hardwired radar detector; 245/75 Guard Dog MTs; Optima Red Top, Amsoil air filter

So how'd the ride go?

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2005 Liberty Sport 4x4

Frankenlift; Skink Sliders; Skid Row front skid; Mopar trans, t-case, and gas tank skids; f/r recovery points; Cobra 75 WX ST; Renegade light bar; hardwired radar detector; 245/75 Guard Dog MTs; Optima Red Top, Amsoil air filter

From what I heard on the news, this was the lowest ever attended event - about 1000 bikes only
Major deterrent.... weather
Hopefully the TFT from GLJT will be better

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There were more than 1000 bikes. Although the turn-out was lower than previous years, the "world's largest TFT parade" was a roaring success. Everyone was frozen to the bone except the kids whose hearts were warmed by the several thousand toys collected. There was only one mishap with a rider, but he was not seriously injured. The Biker's, the Marines, the Chicago Cops, and everyone else had a great time.

Pic's can be viewed on the linky
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lapstrake/ ... 914042980/

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Illegitima Non carborundom!

Yikes! What happened? I've heard horror stories about jerks cutting through alleys to try and get around the parade - and if memory serves me right, I think that something like this happened a couple years back and seriously injured/killed on of the riders

Glad everyone had a safe & fun run, and that a whole slew of toys were collected for such a wonderful program!

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2005 Liberty Sport 4x4

Frankenlift; Skink Sliders; Skid Row front skid; Mopar trans, t-case, and gas tank skids; f/r recovery points; Cobra 75 WX ST; Renegade light bar; hardwired radar detector; 245/75 Guard Dog MTs; Optima Red Top, Amsoil air filter

Not exactly sure - the rider was behind me but word had it he fell off his bike. I never did see who exactly the rider was.

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Illegitima Non carborundom!

Looks like it's just us representing LOST for this event.

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2005 Liberty Sport 4x4

Frankenlift; Skink Sliders; Skid Row front skid; Mopar trans, t-case, and gas tank skids; f/r recovery points; Cobra 75 WX ST; Renegade light bar; hardwired radar detector; 245/75 Guard Dog MTs; Optima Red Top, Amsoil air filter

Thank you for the support

Hope to see you guys next year. Pic are up on the site at GLJT.ORG

Thier was 151 4x4 this year

Have a Great Holiday and a Safe one Too

Hope to see you on the Trails

Whtjp98 "Eddie"