Motorcycles make Toys for Tots delivery in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Thousands of motorcyclists traveled through Chicago's slushy roads Sunday morning to deliver holiday cheer to bystanders along the Toys for Tots trail.

The jingle of a sleigh sounded a lot like rolling thunder on Western Avenue as the two-wheeled charity pilgrimage from the South Side cut through the streets.

"It's something we look forward to," said Christina Augustyn. "To see all the bikes and bikers dressed up for Christmas is just really fun."

"I've been out here when it was 40 below with the wind chill," said Tom Taylor.

At the North Side collection site, the dolled up, decked out bikes and bikers took pride in their contributions.

"You couldn't get a thousand people out here in their cars to do this," said Bill Kessler. "You'll get 10,000 to 15,000 bikers out here."

"You'd be amazed how many people can remember being helped by us when they were in a time of need and they got into a better position in life and now they've become members," said George Lester Fortier, of Toys for Tots.

Trailers were filled with 55,000 toys for 2,500 families in Chicago.

This is the 39th year the event traveled through the city to bring children toys.