Early Sunday morning, more than 100 tow trucks arrived at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Their flashing amber lights lit up the dark as they carried unwrapped bikes, trucks, and other toys.
One truck after another kept coming. This was the annual Tow Trucks for Tots event. It was very cold—17 degrees with wind chill and light snow—but that didn’t stop these tow truck drivers. They were determined to make Christmas special for hundreds of children.
With many charities needing donations, tow companies joined forces to collect hundreds of toys for local groups that give to kids in need. This isn’t new. They have done it for many years. Even though they usually compete in business, these drivers come together every year to help children have a better Christmas.
The thought of kids having no presents drives them to act.
“Tow truck drivers formed this group years ago and have worked together since to bring Christmas joy to as many kids as possible,” said Jim Bresnahan, owner of Chariot Towing in Countryside.
“It’s great to see so many drivers join this cause every year,” he said. “And it’s great to see people come out to watch the parade, especially on a cold day like today.”
The parade route was almost five miles long. It started at SeatGeek Stadium and went through Bridgeview, Summit, and Bedford Park before returning.
Pat Winer, who used to own WorldWide Equipment Sales, started the event nearly 20 years ago. “Our goal was three things: to give toys to kids who don’t have many; to show tow truck drivers in a better way; and to get into the Guinness Book of World Records.”
“We did all three,” he said. (The event once held the world record for most tow trucks in one event, but a similar event in France has since broken it.)
Tow companies worked together, called suppliers, and placed donation boxes at their shops. They used their flatbed trucks as moving billboards and their wreckers to carry big bins filled with toys. For a week before the parade, they drove around collecting donations—not broken cars this time, but goodwill.
People donated all kinds of toys: new bikes, board games, dolls, and stuffed animals.
Leading the parade was Mark Sifuentes, a tow truck driver for AutoMedics in Orland Park. He drove his big wrecker, horn polished and sounding a happy toot-toot.
“My company asked if I wanted to join the parade, and I was excited,” he said. “I didn’t expect to lead it. It’s an honor to be part of this great event.”
