DECEMBER 9 • SATURDAY
A Family Tradition for Many, Bike Bald’s Holiday Light Jeep Toy Ride is a Night to Remember
OSWEGO–Do you own a Jeep? Know anyone who does? How fun would it be to decorate it in lights and holiday decorations and join a parade of other Jeep owners as they parade through towns lit up and to the sounds of holiday music? How much cooler would it be if all those Jeeps were filled with toys, gift cards and donations to support families of children who are battling cancer, rare illnesses or those in great need? A family tradition for many, Bike Bald’s Holiday Light Jeep Toy Ride is a night to remember.
Based in Oswego, but supporting many of the surrounding communities, the Bike Bald organization is 100% operated by the hearts of volunteers and their families. Often the volunteers are kids who have made it through the battle and go on to help others. They have a unique understanding. “We work hard for every dollar that goes toward the operation of our non-profit,” says Debbie Mossburg, Executive Director for the Bike Bald Group. “There’s nothing better than the smile we get when have been there for families that just felt they had reached their breaking point.”
Bike Bald counts on donations from the community as well as hosts a multitude of fundraising events including, local workshops, chili cookoffs, trivia nights and biking events. The Holiday Light Jeep Toy Ride has become their largest and most attended event. Nearly 7,000 toys are collected and distributed every year with over 165 Jeeps registered to ride. This year the event is being held on Saturday, December 9th at 6:00pm starting from Troy Middle School on Theodore St. in Plainfield. Being escorted by the police, Jeeps will make their way west through Joliet, Plainfield, Yorkville, Plano and Oswego. Registration is FREE! The ride ends at Santa’s Workshop, a vacant storefront in Oswego that is granted to the organization to hold all the toys and supplies. A special magical evening, open to the public, is then held for the children and families supported by Bike Bald with singing, food, movies and volunteers in character such as elves, reindeer, and the sugar plum fairy all to welcome the arrival of Santa.
For more information or to register your jeep, volunteer for any of their events or donate toys and gift cards, visit www.bikebald.com. “If we pull together as a community to support ‘small non-profits’,” says Mossburg, “we can do BIG things!
ABOUT THE WRITER
Mindy Kyle is passionate about helping people discover what brings them joy and to live a full, healthy and happy life. She has her Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from DePaul University and is a veteran of Chicago’s theater and commercial world as well as a graduate of the Second City Improv School. Mindy lives in Naperville with her husband, three children and the cutest dogs in the land.
