Today in motorcycle history, December 3, 2000

 

 

 

 

  On a sunny and cool, 30 degree Sunday morning, approximately 25,000 riders roll up Western Avenue for the 23rd annual Chicagoland Toys for Tots ride. The ride/parade features a Mattel Hot Wheels bike (for the third year), a Santa Fe locomotive car, 12 Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade cable TV shows, and a Harley raffle. Bikers give and give, besides toys, $99,000 is distributed.

 

  But, it all began on...

 

  ....Wednesday, December 13, 1978, Ed "Aminal" Wisniewski, a Viet Nam veteran, organizes the Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade in his southside Chicago motorcycle shop, Fantasy Choppers, which at the time was located at 2532 West 63rd Street. 

 

  There were six people involved in the first run;  Aminal, Puppy, Mark-Off, Princess, Namu, and Thor.  On that Wednesday afternoon, three friends, Aminal, Puppy and Thor left Fantasy Choppers and headed to the Glenview Naval Air Station in Glenview, Illinois, with a van half-filled with toys and "Aminal" riding Puppy's Sportster because his ride wasn't "fit for travel".   They had nearly reached their destination when the chain broke on the Sportster.  So, in order to complete the event, as a motorcycle run, Aminal was towed by Puppy arm-in-arm from the van for about three miles. They made it to the Naval Station and dropped off the toys.  36 years later bikers are still riding and donating regardless of the weather (or the occasional breakdown). 

 

  Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.