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Next Parade
248 D a y s
November 10, 2019
Date: Nov 10, 2019
Time: 6:00am
Location: Hollywood Casino
777 Hollywood Blvd.
Joliet, IL 60436
Parade Route
Events
Support | 2018 Parade Poster
Santa’s Helpers
The goal of this event is as follows:
1.To bring a much needed toy to a very deserving boy or girl.
2. To further enhance the image of the towing industry.
3. To Break the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest tow truck parade.
Welcome to Tow Trucks for Tots
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Worldwide Equipment Sales, LLC’s “Tow Trucks for Tots” is a non-profit organization made up of the towing community, its suppliers and the wonderful volunteers who raise toys for children during the holiday season.
Tow Trucks For Tots has three main goals.
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Worldwide Equipment Sales, LLC’s “Tow Trucks For Tots” currently holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest tow truck parade.
Every 2nd Sunday in November, towing companies throughout the Midwest converge to Rockdale, IL (Hollywood Casino) and lineup for the world’s largest tow truck parade. The parade route is 42 miles long. It travels from Rockdale, IL to Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL. At Toyota Park towing companies unload their collected toys into semi trucks to be distributed to needy children. Meanwhile back at Toyota Park the tow truck driver is given a free Tow Trucks For Tots T-Shirt, all are treated to lunch, live band and the camaraderie of their fellow towers.
During the months before the parade towers are encouraged to collect toys for children ages 0-18 years old. They do this by putting drop boxes at their places of businesses. Some even have large parties and fundraisers to collect toys. All parties and fundraisers are posted on our website and are open to the towing community and general public. Just check under the events section on our website.
All toy donations must be NEW and UNWRAPPED. Please NO GUNS, SWORDS, or STUFFED ANIMALS.
TOW TRUCKS FOR TOTS Donates backpacks to the Village of Dixmore 1st Annual Back to School Fest.
Tow Trucks for Tots wants to give a special Thank You to Jim Gould and the folks at Sports Authority for their gracious contribution. With this wonderful donation, Tow Trucks for Tots will help update or replace sporting goods and clothing for the wonderful organizations we support. Partnerships like this help to improve the lives of these wonderful kids. We would also like to thank Jeff Beck at Paint Solutions Autobody for arranging this donation with Sports Authority.
This year’s recipient was the Maryville Academy in Des Palins, IL. We at Tow Trucks for Tots wish them the best and hope they have a successful year.
Your help is crucial to this programs success.
If you or your business would like to sponsor Tow Trucks for Tots, please call or send an e-mail message to Pat Winer:(815)725-4400 Pwiner8304@aol.com
A sincere thank you to all of our current sponsors!
Click Here to see more about our amazing trip to New York!
JIM’S POEM
Twas the night before TTFT, when all throughout Chicagoland
Not a person was relaxing; we all have devised a plan.
Our tow trucks were being cleaned, decorated and loaded with care
In hopes that the weather would be warm and fair.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of Christmas shopping ads danced in their heads
And mamma in her ‘kerchief and I in my cap
Had just settled down before getting a call, oh well, there goes that nap.
The next morning came quick with an eagerness to start going
On our way to Hollywood Casino we saw not one car that needed towing
As we pulled in to the parking lot, we were caught with surprise
But there is Ed Forsythe, directing traffic and saying hi
The parking lot is full of all sizes of trucks, decorated to the top
While helpers tell us which line to get in and where to stop
Off we go to the front to sign in, register and get our shirt
Then off to meet up with our friends, catching up on all the dirt
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a white trailer with the sign, “Warm coffee & donuts here”
With wonderful people inside, so lively and quick
I knew in a moment it must be Micki & Dick
After the drivers meeting, back to the truck we go
Time to start the trek, it’s time to start the show
Now Ambassador, now Suburban, now E&R, now West & Sons
On Grosse Pointe, on Ernies, on Terry’s, on everyone else and then some
Down I-55 the caravan of chrome rolls on
With lights flashing, we’re heading to Toyota Park and the goal we set upon
Watch out for supporters along the way,
You never know who will be on the side of the road watching & waiving as we drive away
Upon coming down the hill, we can all start to see Toyota Park’s roof
And all the truck tires turn into millions of little rubber hoofs
As we pull into the parking lot and start the journey around
In front, Bill Howard & the band begins playing and boogieing down
Out of the trucks we spring, dropping off the gifts we collected
Time to fill up that Automedics truck, it’s what we hoped & expected
One last chance at buying some raffle or 50/50 tickets
Then off to the middle of the circle, group picture will be in 20 mins
Off to the Tow Truck Olympics to show off your skills,
Don’t stand to close though; sometimes there are some crazy running and silly spills
You get two chances to prove to everyone that you’re the best
A shiny bronze, silver and gold metal is awarded at the end of this quest
Awards, gifts and prizes are handed out to those who participate
We’ll try to go fast, the day has been long and it starts to feel really late
But take a moment and look around the group for a while
Remember why we’re all here together and that should make you smile
But wait, who’s this man off to the side?
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf…
Oh wait, I’m sorry. I’m talking about myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know, I had nothing to dread
He spoke not many words, but went straight to his work
He helped fill all the stockings, then turned with a jerk
And laying his finger aside of his nose
And giving up a nod, his dream was a success and it shows
He sprang to his sleigh, a bright red Jerr-Dan flatbed with a nifty whistle
And away he flew with the speed of a missile
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight
“Hi I’m Pat Winer with Worldwide Equipment Sales & Driver locate”
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
