Chicago-Area
11-12-2008, 03:55 PM
#1
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: South Side Chicago
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 1992, 2- 1998 (All 3, 4 Doors)
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L in all
Chicago-Area
Is anyone going on that XJ Toys for Tots thing in Dec.? I think it's the 14th and starts at 10a.m. @ Soldier Field.
11-13-2008, 05:18 PM
#5
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: South Side Chicago
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 1992, 2- 1998 (All 3, 4 Doors)
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L in all
Reposted from http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthrea...#post244123819
(That means don't shoot me for this....)
Great Lakes JeepThing's 10th annual Toys for Tots
Dec 14th 2008
Line up begins at 8:00am
Start time 10:00am (be there early!)
Downtown Chicago
Start point McCormick place parking lot "B" (truck marshalling area)
Contact Kevin Gray
E-mail x-zr2 at hotmail dot com
Web site www.gljt.org
IMPORTANT: Entry fee is at least one BRAND NEW toy still in the original packaging! Please do not ask to participate if you are empty handed.
It's that time of year again in the Chicago area. Time to start the buzz of one of the biggest and most important 4x4 events of the year. GLJT's Toys for Tots parade. Five years ago in 2003 our little event officially exploded into something much bigger than just us. Now, this event has grown into something that belongs to the 4x4 community as a whole. With 250 vehicles, over 500 people, and 20 different clubs represented. Funny to think that just 10 years ago the first parade included nothing but GLJT members, and totaled to about 15 jeeps. Now this event has multiplied several times over in attendance, has been covered on local TV networks, newspapers, and escorted by Chicago police.
This year we will be starting in McCormick Place parking lot "B'. Located off the 31st street exit from Lake Shore Drive. The parade will leave at 10:00am SHARP! So please get there early enough to have time to get those Christmas decorations on your vehicle. Did I forget to mention decorations? The parade is never complete without them. Some participants have really gone all out for this event. Decorating their jeeps like Santa's sleigh, or leaving no piece of sheet metal on the Durango untouched.
That leads up to the other thing that participants are highly encouraged to do. While the entry fee is at least one toy, please try to bring more than just one. Participants always come with vehicles full to the top with donations from friends, family, and coworkers. Posters are available at GLJT meetings for making your own 'drop box'.
Once attendees get there and are ready to leave at 10 we head north on Lake Shore Drive to Foster Ave. Exit on Foster, and take Foster west to the US Marine headquarters for toy drop off. Be sure to have your CB radio on during the drive. We'll be on channel 4. If you've never seen 300 decorated 4x4's being escorted down LSD by Chicago police ... you just have to be there. It's a breathtaking site, especially when one considers the cause that this is for.
If for some reason anyone is unfamiliar ... the Toys for Tots foundation is run by the US Marine corps. It was put into place to help raise toys as Christmas presents for needy children. I think there are a lot of people here that have it better than most, it's important to remember that, and not take it for granted. Every child deserves at least one new present for Christmas. With your help we can make that happen. If you come out and ride with us, you will make a difference. And you might get your mug on the nightly news!
Line up at 8:00!!
There will be a short but sweet driver meeting at 9:45 before the parade leaves. I'll be in the middle of the parade with a bullhorn to announce final details before we leave.
(That means don't shoot me for this....)
Great Lakes JeepThing's 10th annual Toys for Tots
Dec 14th 2008
Line up begins at 8:00am
Start time 10:00am (be there early!)
Downtown Chicago
Start point McCormick place parking lot "B" (truck marshalling area)
Contact Kevin Gray
E-mail x-zr2 at hotmail dot com
Web site www.gljt.org
IMPORTANT: Entry fee is at least one BRAND NEW toy still in the original packaging! Please do not ask to participate if you are empty handed.
It's that time of year again in the Chicago area. Time to start the buzz of one of the biggest and most important 4x4 events of the year. GLJT's Toys for Tots parade. Five years ago in 2003 our little event officially exploded into something much bigger than just us. Now, this event has grown into something that belongs to the 4x4 community as a whole. With 250 vehicles, over 500 people, and 20 different clubs represented. Funny to think that just 10 years ago the first parade included nothing but GLJT members, and totaled to about 15 jeeps. Now this event has multiplied several times over in attendance, has been covered on local TV networks, newspapers, and escorted by Chicago police.
This year we will be starting in McCormick Place parking lot "B'. Located off the 31st street exit from Lake Shore Drive. The parade will leave at 10:00am SHARP! So please get there early enough to have time to get those Christmas decorations on your vehicle. Did I forget to mention decorations? The parade is never complete without them. Some participants have really gone all out for this event. Decorating their jeeps like Santa's sleigh, or leaving no piece of sheet metal on the Durango untouched.
That leads up to the other thing that participants are highly encouraged to do. While the entry fee is at least one toy, please try to bring more than just one. Participants always come with vehicles full to the top with donations from friends, family, and coworkers. Posters are available at GLJT meetings for making your own 'drop box'.
Once attendees get there and are ready to leave at 10 we head north on Lake Shore Drive to Foster Ave. Exit on Foster, and take Foster west to the US Marine headquarters for toy drop off. Be sure to have your CB radio on during the drive. We'll be on channel 4. If you've never seen 300 decorated 4x4's being escorted down LSD by Chicago police ... you just have to be there. It's a breathtaking site, especially when one considers the cause that this is for.
If for some reason anyone is unfamiliar ... the Toys for Tots foundation is run by the US Marine corps. It was put into place to help raise toys as Christmas presents for needy children. I think there are a lot of people here that have it better than most, it's important to remember that, and not take it for granted. Every child deserves at least one new present for Christmas. With your help we can make that happen. If you come out and ride with us, you will make a difference. And you might get your mug on the nightly news!
Line up at 8:00!!
There will be a short but sweet driver meeting at 9:45 before the parade leaves. I'll be in the middle of the parade with a bullhorn to announce final details before we leave.
Last edited by BowtieGuy3; 11-13-2008 at 05:21 PM.
11-13-2008, 06:48 PM
#7
Seasoned Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Grand Junction, CO
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'e gone for the last few years....it's a good time for a good cause. This will be my first year missing it since I moved away earlier this year 
Trending Topics
11-15-2008, 07:06 PM
#9
CF Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Year: 90
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
If you are planning to take a trail vehicle please be aware this isn't a traditional parade.. You will need to be able to go LSD normal speed or be killed by traffic.
11-18-2008, 01:37 PM
#10
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: South Side Chicago
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 1992, 2- 1998 (All 3, 4 Doors)
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L in all
11-18-2008, 02:30 PM
#12
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: South Side Chicago
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 1992, 2- 1998 (All 3, 4 Doors)
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L in all
Tips on Chicago driving:
Horn. Used frequently, usually in conjunction with extended middle finger.
Turn Signal. Used by the weak. Any person signaling a lane change will promptly lose the spot in traffic that he/she was trying to attain.
Out of State Plates. Usual annoyance, but sometime are used as a playtoy by local residents.
Toll Booths. Pit stop for Chicagoans. Once toll is paid, rapid acceleration is mandatory, or else traffic build up will occur. NOTE:Most Residents are equipped with I-Pass, so do not follow into express lanes. Also, have money out and ready at exits/toll booths.DO NOT EVER OPEN VEHICLE DOOR, OR ASK DIRECTIONS FROM TOLLBOOTH ATTENDANT!
Lane Usage.
Right Lane: To be used by out-of-state drivers, and rookies. Occasional, momentary usage by those in other lanes for exiting and entering purposes. Speed: 45-60mph
Center Lane: Those travelling on trips, usually in conjunction with cruise control. Speed: 60-70mph
Left Lane: Used by professional Chicago drivers. Those who usually travel in the other 2 lane classes should avoid left lane at all costs, although occasional interaction with those from the left lane may occur. DO NOT DRIVE IN LEFT LANE UNLESS SPEED IS A MIN.75mph.
Horn. Used frequently, usually in conjunction with extended middle finger.
Turn Signal. Used by the weak. Any person signaling a lane change will promptly lose the spot in traffic that he/she was trying to attain.
Out of State Plates. Usual annoyance, but sometime are used as a playtoy by local residents.
Toll Booths. Pit stop for Chicagoans. Once toll is paid, rapid acceleration is mandatory, or else traffic build up will occur. NOTE:Most Residents are equipped with I-Pass, so do not follow into express lanes. Also, have money out and ready at exits/toll booths.DO NOT EVER OPEN VEHICLE DOOR, OR ASK DIRECTIONS FROM TOLLBOOTH ATTENDANT!
Lane Usage.
Right Lane: To be used by out-of-state drivers, and rookies. Occasional, momentary usage by those in other lanes for exiting and entering purposes. Speed: 45-60mph
Center Lane: Those travelling on trips, usually in conjunction with cruise control. Speed: 60-70mph
Left Lane: Used by professional Chicago drivers. Those who usually travel in the other 2 lane classes should avoid left lane at all costs, although occasional interaction with those from the left lane may occur. DO NOT DRIVE IN LEFT LANE UNLESS SPEED IS A MIN.75mph.
