No season makes us realize how blessed our kids are than the holiday season. That’s why it’s important to give back and help those in need.
Toy donations are something even very young children can understand and participate in. We’ve gathered up Chicagoland locations collecting toys to provide a magical holiday for children who would otherwise not have one.
Donation events
Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center (ChicagoCAC) Holiday Toy Drive
- Date: now through Dec. 8
- Location: 1240 S. Damen Ave., Chicago
ChicagoCAC’s goal is to give 2,000+ toys and gifts each year to kids who have experienced abuse.
How you can help:
- Specific gifts can be purchased through their Amazon wishlist or donors can drop off new toys and presents at their location before Dec. 8.
- Volunteers are also needed to help with check-in and greeting people, taking care of kids, and keeping an eye on things during the entire event.
Nourishing Hope Vincent Babiarz Toy Drive
Date: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. through Dec. 8
Location: 3945 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago
This drive is in memory of Vincent Babiarz. Families who get help from Nourishing Hope at their Sheridan pantry can use toy contributions.
How you can help:
- Bring unwrapped toy donations to their Sheridan Market through Dec 8
- Attend their in-person event from 6-10 p.m. Dec. 5 at Murphy’s Bleachers
- Make an online donation
27th Annual Holiday Toy Drive
- Date: 6-11 p.m. Dec. 2, 2025
- Location: United Club, 1410 Special Olympics Drive, Chicago
Hosted by 100 Black Men for Chicago Inc., this event collects games, winter coats and gifts to help women and children who live in homeless shelters, outreach organizations or healthcare centers.
How you can help:
- If your ticket is labeled “with toy,” you’re required to purchase a toy priced at $20 or more.
- If you can’t attend the event, you can ask 100 Black Men of Chicago Inc. about making toy or coat donations directly.
Jeeps on the Run Toys for Tots Run
- Date: Dec. 7
- Location: 23 US-12, Fox Lake
Jeep owners can register for $30 per vehicle; capped at 500. The convoy travels from Ray Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Fox Lake to the Lincolnshire Marriott, where toys are collected for local children.
The public is welcome at the after-party from 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Lincolnshire Marriott, Ten Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Admission is $5 and kids 2 and under free. Activities include family entertainment, food for purchase and live music.
How you can help:
- Attendees are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys.
- Buy a raffle ticket for a donated Jeep Gladiator for $20 at jeepsontherun.com. Proceeds benefit Toys for Tots.
WGN‑TV 23rd Annual Toy Drive
- Date: 5 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 12
- Location: Multiple drop-off points through WGN‑TV Family Charities and partner organizations in Chicago
A big push that helps organizations like Off The Street Club and Christmas in the Wards. The Robert R. McCormick Foundation matches (50%) all money contributions.
How you can help:
- Bring new, unopened toys on or before the day of the event
- Donations will be matched
Home for the Holidays: A South Side Celebration
- Date: 1-4 p.m. Dec. 13
- Location: Fuller Park Fieldhouse, 331 W 45th St, Chicago
Hosted by Chicago Defender Charities and other local organizations working together, this is a free event where kids of all ages can receive new toys, books and winter coats (while supplies last). Enrollment is required to receive gifts.
How you can help:
- Give new toys and coats (not wrapped) ahead of time
Ongoing drives
Toys for Tots Drive
The most well-known toy drive is the U.S. Marine Corps’ annual Toys for Tots Drive. Since its founding in 1995, the Toys for Tots program has distributed more than 512 million toys to more than 237 million less fortunate children. You can choose to donate a toy online or drop one off at one of its local toy drop locations.
Becca’s LEGacy Toy Drive
Becca’s LEGacy donates collected toys to Chicago-area hospitals to help children with cancer. New, unwrapped toys, art supplies, puzzles and more for infants through teens can be purchased through the foundation’s Amazon wish list.
Salvation Army Angel Tree
The Salvation Army Angel Tree program provides new toys and clothing donations to more than one million children in need each year. You can also purchase gifts for children in need through Walmart’s Spark Good Registry. Once gifts are received, the Salvation Army will distribute them on Christmas morning to the families in need.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Lurie Children’s Hospital is looking for age-appropriate toys to help brighten up the healing environment for their patients. You can drop off toys in-person, donate gift cards or find gifts to purchase through its Amazon wish list.
Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center
This organization helps families after experiencing sexual abuse and other trauma. For the holidays, they hope to deliver thousands of toys to children and their families who come to the center. You can host a toy drive or use their Amazon or Target wish lists to ship toys directly to their location.
ChiGivesBack Inc.
This Chicagoland Toy Drive by ChiGivesBack was designed to give toys to children who are from low-income families or are homeless. You can drop off toys, donate online or purchase toys on their Amazon wish list.
Veterans Park District Annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive
This drive runs until Dec. 15, 2023. You can donate food or toys to families in need. They’re looking for nutritious, non-perishable packaged or canned food and new toys and games. Donations can be brought to Grant Park Recreation Center, Northlake, or George A. Leoni Complex, Melrose Park.
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