In 2010 five local US Marines Veterans had a discussion at Quinn’s

Restaurant to do an Annual Toy For Tots Ride to combine effort with the US

Marine Corps Reserve in Boise, ID.  The Annual Toys For Tots campaign is a

USMC tradition dating back to 1947. These Marine veterans wanted to create

a toy drive in the form of a motorcycle ride close to the Marine Corps

birthday. Like all good Marine Corps ideas, it was discussed in a local

tavern during the 235th Marine Corps Birthday on 10 NOV 2010 at Quinn’s

Restaurant and Lounge. The committee was formed a week later, with the

first ride completed in December of that year.

  

The founders of the event were the following:

 

Andy Wilson, 0311 Infantry (1988-1992)

 

Dino Glascock, 1371 Combat Engineer (1988-1992)

 

Dwight Murphy, 0341 Motorman (1976-1982)

 

Terry Regelin, 0311 Infantry (1965-1971)

 

Tom Myers, 6334 Avionics Electrician (1984-1988)

 

The goal of the committee was to setup an Annual Toys For Tots Motorcycle

Ride through the city of Boise to collect much needed toys in support of

the Annual USMCR Toys For Tots campaign.  Charlie Company 4th Tank

Battalion was stationed at Gowen Field in Boise, so forming this

partnership with Toys For Tots and 4th Tank Battalion was a priority for

the five Marine veterans.

 

The group formed a committee and invited the owners of Quinn’s (Boise’s Tun

Tavern) Lisa and Gary Sullivan to participate on the committee along with

the Marines from 4th Tank Battalion.  Over the years, the community

involvement has grown to include the Leathernecks M/C, Marine Corps League,

Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club and Mountain Home Air Force Base to

name a few. The goal of the annual committee is to assist the US Marine

Corps toy drive efforts with the annual Toys For Tots Ride which takes

place the 1st Sunday in November.

 

The Annual Toys For Tots Ride is the official kickoff event of the USMCR

Toys For Tots campaign in the Treasure Valley. The ride begins at High

Desert Harley Davidson and ends at Quinn’s Restaurant and Lounge.  Every

year the ride includes Santa Clause, along with static military vehicle

displays from 4th LAR Battalion at the tail end of the motorcycle

procession. The ride committee also includes a selected USMC Veteran as the

annual guest of honor.