CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A Christmas tradition returned to Western Avenue in Chicago Sunday morning after COVID-19 canceled it last year.
Despite the rain, organizers said thousands came out to donate toys to children in need for the 44th annual Toys for Tots motorcyle parade.
Many motorcyclists still collected and donated toys last year but missed their annual ride from Dan Ryan Woods up Western Avenue to Belmont Avenue.
One man brought his son on the back of his bike to witness the generosity of strangers.
“We’ll never see who the toys go to. It doesn’t matter. Every child needs a toy,” he told WBBM Newsradio.
A cold rain fell but that didn’t dampen the sunny spirits of Bob Snyder, a familiar face at the parade with his stuffed animal-covered bike pulling a small trailer full of toys.
“No, it’s not. It’s sunny and 72. You’re listening to the wrong forecast,” Snyder jokingly told WBBM Newsradio. Sunday’s high was 43 degrees.
Organizers said some 5,000 bikers participated in this year's parade.
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