Riders Unite at 17th Annual Toys In the Hood Chicago Motorcycle Parade This Holiday Season to Collect and Distribute Toys to Children in Underserved Communities


Riders Unite at 17th Annual Toys In the Hood Chicago Motorcycle Parade This Holiday Season to Collect and Distribute Toys to Children in Underserved Communities


CHICAGO – Calling all bikers! The 17th Annual Toys in the Hood Motorcycle Parade is set for Saturday, November 29. Bikers from across the Chicagoland area and beyond are invited to join the ride and bring a new, unwrapped toy that will be given to children in need this holiday season.

Toys in the Hood Chicago© is a not-for-profit charitable organization that was formed in 2008 by Vincent “Batt Mann” Jackson and a small group of South Side motorcycle riders. This group of friends wanted to do something good for the children of the community. These riders had been involved in many charitable events and dreamed of forming an umbrella group so that all of the South and West side motorcycle clubs could unify their charitable efforts. With the formation of the Chicago Motorcycle Counsel in 2010, which is a discussion and fellowship forum for South and West side clubs, this became the perfect platform for Toys in the Hood© to make its appeal.

Since its inception, bikers from near and far have participated, helping the event collect and distribute thousands of new toys to youth during the holidays. “Seeing the excitement of a child receiving a new toy is priceless,” explained Jackson. “Our future endeavors include, but are not limited to, continued toy distributions, non-perishable food distributions, clothing drives, CPR training classes, first aid training classes, and healthy cooking demonstrations.”

This year marks the 17th year. Bikers will meet at 9:00 a.m. at Olive-Harvey College, 10001 S. Woodlawn (103rd and I-94 expressway) on Saturday, November 29. The motorcycle parade kicks off at 10:00 a.m. and will proceed west on 103rd Street to Cottage Grove Ave., head north to 35th Street, and conclude at 35th and Rhodes at the Lake Meadows parking lot. Non-bikers are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys at either Olive-Harvey College or Lake Meadows parking lot on the day of the motorcycle parade, Saturday, November 29. Supporters in trucks and vehicles are invited to follow the parade as well. For more information and to further support Toys in the Hood, call 773-302-9546 or 312-623-6692 or send an email to vincentjackson8146@gmail.com

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