Welcome to Tow Trucks for Tots
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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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Tow Trucks for Tots was awarded the Guinness Book of World Records achievement for the world's largest tow truck parade in 2009.
Every 2nd Sunday in November, towing companies throughout the Midwest meet at the Hollywood Casino in Joliet, Illinois and participate in the Tow Trucks for Tots parade. Towing companies and their trucks come in all shapes and sizes, decorated for the holiday season, bringing collected or donated toys to help those in need. Each tow truck driver is given a free Tow Trucks for Tots T-Shirt for their support, treated to lunch, a live band and the camaraderie of their fellow towing community and friends.
During the months before the parade, towers are encouraged to collect toys for children between the ages of 0-18 years old. They do this by putting donation boxes at their businesses. Some even host parties and fundraisers to collect toys or monetary donations. All parties and fundraisers are posted on our website / social media pages and are open to the towing community and the public. Events can be found under the events section on our website / social media pages.
All toy donations must be NEW and UNWRAPPED. Please NO GUNS, SWORDS or STUFFED ANIMALS.
Tow Trucks for Tots was awarded the record of the world’s largest tow truck parade for 10 years by the Guinness Book of World Records. We give congratulations to the Fier D’Etre Depanneur in France for hosting a similar event and breaking our record in 2018. We are honored that our event and goals are being represented in other towing communities around the world. We hope that Tow Trucks for Tots will eventually be celebrated in many different states and countries. The towing community, made up of owners, drivers, families, friends and suppliers are a wonderful group of individuals who are more than just people who tow your car. We love helping our local communities, our customers and those who are in need. We are a 24-hour industry that is comprised of many different individuals and vehicles, from the little one-ton trucks, all the way up to the heavy-duty trucks that tow semis. Tow Trucks for Tots would like to thank everyone that has ever attended, donated, or helped in the planning of our events. Without our supporters, we would not of had many successful years, full of donations to less fortunate families in the holiday season.
Thank you to everyone from the bottom of our hearts!
Tow Trucks for Tots
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 jim@towtrucksfortots.com 708-415-2847
A sincere thank you to all of our current sponsors!
Tow Trucks For Tot'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 from Tow Trucks from Tots. Merry Christmas to
all and to all a good night.
6402 Joliet Road, Countryside, IL 60525
Phone: 708-415-2847