Chicago Teamsters Join Thousands of Bikers and Motorists in 2005 Chicagoland Toys for Tots Parade

Charitable Event for Area Children is a 26-Year Chicago Teamsters Tradition

Teamsters braved the cold, snowy Chicago weather to join thousands of bikers and motorists Sunday in the Chicagoland Toys for Tots parade.

Joint Council 25 Organizers (l to r) Mark Sredzinski, Armont Nash and Ed Collazo unload bicycles donated by Teamsters Local 731 for the Toys for Tots Program.

This year marks the 28th anniversary of Chicago’s 11-mile parade to benefit area children. Teamsters local unions and members donated generously and collected hundreds of new toys for the Toys for Tots Foundation, a tradition that the Chicago Teamsters have practiced for 26 years.

“We are proud to contribute to this charitable event for the children of Chicago,” said John T. Coli, Teamsters Joint Council 25 President. “The program is about more than just providing toys—donations to the foundation also benefit children’s organizations, families and individuals.”

The Teamsters Joint Council 25 semi trailer truck was one of more than 5,000 vehicles to ride in the streets of downtown Chicago this year in support of the event.

The parade kicked off at 9:30 a.m. and headed north on Western Avenue to the 4th Marine Reserve Center, where Marines will sort and distribute the donated toys in the next few weeks.

The Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade was first organized in 1978 and is the nation’s largest contributor of toys to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity.

The Toys for Tots organization is asking riders who have participated in the past or did not attend the parade on Sunday due to the frigid weather to contribute a new, unwrapped toy. The public is also welcome to make a contribution.

The parade headquarters will be open to accept donations from 7 to 10 p.m. for the next two Fridays at Stempien VFW Post, 4235 W. 47th St., in Chicago. The organization cannot accept plush toys.

For more information on the United States Marine Corp Reserve Toys for Tots Program, visit www.chicagolandtft.org.

Click here to view our photo gallery from the event.

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