🌱 Patch AM: How Toys for Tots is brightening holidays for 28,000 Champaign kids

Hello again Champaign! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How Toys for Tots is brightening holidays for 28,000 Champaign kids
• How does Black enrollment in Unit 4 compare to nearby districts?
• How is Champaign-Urbana’s job market really holding up?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings.

Today's riddle: What did the windowsill say to the glass? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a high of 44 and low of 38 degrees.
• Tuesday: Fog in the a.m.; partly sunny, temps: high: 52, low: 34.
• Wednesday: Cloudy with areas of drizzle, with a high of 52 and low of 50 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Toys for Tots helps thousands of Champaign Co. families during holidays (wcia.com) — Thousands of Champaign County families are getting holiday help this year through Toys for Tots, which partnered with the local Salvation Army to provide gifts for about 28,000 kids. Parents work with volunteer shoppers in Champaign to choose three presents per child, easing tough choices between essentials like rent, food, and school supplies.
   

2. How many Black students were enrolled in Champaign County districts in 2024-25 school year? (chambanasun.com) — Champaign-area families can see how Black student enrollment compares across every Champaign County school district for the 2024–25 year, with Unit 4 in Champaign serving the largest number of Black students. The piece also breaks down countywide demographics and situates local trends within Illinois’ overall K–12 funding and enrollment picture.
   

3. Payroll Jobs Up, Stable in Majority of Metro Areas in September (myradiolink.com) — Champaign-Urbana’s job market held steady in September 2025, with 122,300 nonfarm jobs matching last year even as the local unemployment rate ticked up to 4.1%. Champaign city’s unemployment rose slightly to 4.2%, while government and private education/health jobs grew and sectors like leisure, hospitality, and manufacturing saw modest declines. The report puts Champaign’s trends in context with other Illinois metros.
   

4. Tips to setting up pet-friendly holiday decorations around the house (wixy.com) — Holiday decorating in Champaign can stay festive and safe for your pets with a few simple choices, from shatterproof ornaments to pet-friendly plants. The piece walks you through avoiding tinsel, open flames, and edible décor, plus securing your tree and keeping familiar spaces where your animals can relax away from the holiday bustle.
   

5. Pat Bryant injured in game vs. Jaguars. See photos from game, career (jacksonville.com) — Former Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant, who made memorable plays at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, was carted off the field after an injury during the Denver Broncos’ game against the Jaguars. A new photo gallery looks back at his Champaign days with the Illini, his Senior Bowl appearance, and his early NFL career leading up to Sunday’s setback.
   

📸 Around Champaign

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Champaign

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Friday December 26

• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  The Orpheum Champaign 346 North Neil Street Champaign, Illinois 61820
  8:45 pm

Monday December 29

• Open interviews
  Champaign County Chamber of Commerce , 303 W Kirby Ave , Champaign
  9:00 am

📣 Champaign Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Monday December 22

• Open interviews
  Champaign County Chamber of Commerce , 303 W Kirby Ave , Champaign
  9:00 am
• Christmas Craft Pick-Up
  St. Joseph Township – Swearingen Memorial Library , 201 N 3rd St , St Joseph
  1:00 pm
• Christmas Cartoon Marathon
  Rantoul Public Library , 106 West Flessner Avenue , Rantoul
  1:00 pm
• City of Monticello City Council Meeting
  LIVINGSTON CENTER , 224 E Livingston St , Monticello
  7:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• PMP Certification 4 Days Classroom Training in Champaign, IL
  HQ North Randolph Street , 206 N Randolph St 2nd Floor , Champaign
  9:00 am

Wednesday December 24

• Library Closed for Christmas
  St. Joseph Township – Swearingen Memorial Library , 201 N 3rd St , St Joseph
• Library Closed
  Rantoul Public Library , 106 West Flessner Avenue , Rantoul
• Christmas Eve Breakfast Buffet🎄☃️
  2014 N High Cross Rd , Urbana
  1:30 pm

Thursday December 25

• Christmas
  Rantoul, IL Calendar
• CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS
  Mahomet Area Chamber of Commerce , 512 E Main St , Mahomet

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• We had breakfast at El Rancho Grande in Savoy and it was great.
  They have a huge menu. They are open Thursday thru Sunday until eleven . Not sure what time they open. This goes to top of our list as favorite… (Nextdoor Morrissey Park)
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is hosting a family game night in their fellowship hall.
  I will be bringing board games and card games from my collection and am looking forward to teaching anyone who wants to learn a new game. Pizza and… (Nextdoor Morrissey Park)

• Carle Health posted a job opening for Housekeeper - Evenings (Surgicenter) in Champaign. Apply here.
• KinderCare Education, LLC posted a job opening for Lead Teachers at Devonshire KinderCare in Champaign. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Champaign here.

Ok Champaign! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel your pane.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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