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.
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.
Marillac St. Vincent Family Services Christmas Store
As one of Chicago’s oldest toy drives, MSV offers area families a chance to “shop” for toys, stocking stuffers, books, games, clothes and stuffed animals for each of their children and have their gifts wrapped. Each family is also provided with a bag of food, including a turkey. You can ship toys to their location or donate online.
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.
Sharing Connections
To help provide gifts to children in DuPage County, Sharing Connections is collecting toys for kids of all ages. You can also donate hats, gloves, coats and books as well. Donations can be dropped off on or before Dec. 11, 2023 at its main location in Downers Grove.
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.
People’s Resource Center
This year, PRC is collecting new blankets, 12-inch stuffed animals, books and games for children in need. They’ve set up wish lists for Amazon, Walmart, Target and MOORE Toys & Gadgets. You can drop off the items from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays and Fridays and 1-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays. The drop-off locations are 201 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton, and 104 Chestnut Ave., Westmont.
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