Marines Collect Toys

Christmas cheer was in the chilly air as a parade of motorcycle enthusiasts toting toys entered the Beloit Marine Corps League Saturday.

“It’s not about the Marines or bikes, it’s about the kids,” said co-organizer Jodi Waldsmith.

Around 50 motorcycles and other supporters driving in warm cars pulled in for the 18th Annual Toys For Tots Ride. The motorcycles started at noon at 3 B’s Tap on County Trunk E, Janesville, and arrived at the Marine Corps League at 12:30 p.m. much to the delight of fans awaiting them.
Jodi Waldsmith and her boyfriend, Tim Thoftne, said they were expecting about the high amount of donations, but noted many people have left the area to find other jobs with the closure of Janesville’s General Motors plant. Thofne, for example, worked at GM for 23 years and relocated to Kansas City for a GM job last July. He had made the eight-hour drive to help support the event and see old friends.

Eric Anderson and Diane Liptow, dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus, were leading the parade by riding in a convertible. Anderson has volunteered at the event since its inception 18 years ago and was lugging in a bag of stuffed animals and meeting with kids. Anderson said he was preparing to do his volunteer duties at the event before stopping in to wish his friend Ray Brown of Beloit a happy 65th birthday.

The fun-filled day from 12:30 -4:40 p.m. included beer, food, Gray’s root beer, raffles, live music from the Bellcats and much more. Volunteers from Beloit Walmart were also on the scene to help with the event. Gray’s Brewing of Janesville had donated a keg of root beer for the 18th year.

By noon three banquet tables were already piling up with toys and monetary donations. All proceeds from the event will be used to purchase toys for charities in Beloit, Janesville, Evansville, Edgerton, Clinton and Milton. At the events close, volunteers were prepared to load up a semi trailer full of toys.

Although the Toys For Tots event has continued to grow over the last 18 years, the need for toys and cash donations for our Rock County families in need continues to grow at an even faster rate.

Anderson said organizer Cindy Waldsmith has done an exemplary job organizing the event.

In 1993 Cindy Waldsmith’s dad Marvin Waldsmith, a Marine, wanted to develop a fundraiser for a good cause that would include his children who rode motorcycles and his U.S. Marine friends, and Rock County’s Toys For Tots was born. Marv Waldsmith passed away prior to the 3rd annual toy ride and benefit, which has continued in his honor ever since and has raised more than $255,000 in money and toys for the many needy children he dreamt of helping.

Those who wish to write a check can make it payable to “Toys For Tots” and mail it to 1742 Ritsher St., Beloit, WI 53511. An account for “Toys For Tots” has been set up at Blackhawk Bank.