Kevin Dowling's Memory Kept Alive At 'Christmas is For Kids' Toy Drive

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — The family of Kevin Dowling is keeping his memory alive with the annual toy drive held in honor of the 17-year-old, co-captain of the Mt. Carmel High School football team, who collapsed in extreme heat during football practice in August 1995. He died several weeks after from liver failure.

The 25th annual Kevin Dowling Toy Drive kicks off Saturday, Dec. 7. Bring a new, unwrapped toy, book, gift card or make a donation from TIME at 115 Bourbon Street, Merrionette Park.

Admission to the toy drive is FREE, which features food, beverages and raffles. There will be activities for kids including face painting, popcorn and visits with Santa.

Or, be a Santa sponsor for $500, and an elf sponsor for $300. The toy drive is also accepting donations of raffle prizes.

Kevin had a tremendous work ethic. School did not come easily to him, and he was diagnosed with a learning disability. His family describes him as a kind, fun-loving, honest young man who loved sports and spending time with his family and friends.

The toy drive is an annual event hosted by the Kevin Dowling Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to local youngsters attending Catholic schools.
New toys and books will be distributed to children’s hospitals and child welfare organizations, including:

OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center
COURAGE Program of Oak Lawn
La Rabida Children’s Hospital in memory of Tom Fenton
Loyola Medical Center’s Child Life Services, in honor of Beau Dowling
Keyser Center at Advocate Children’s Hospital-Oak Lawn

Checks can be made payable to the Kevin Dowling Toy Drive, or send gift cards, which will be used to buy toys and books, to: Attn: Kevin Dowling Toy Drive, 3133 W. 102nd St., Evergreen Park, IL 60805. Questions about the toy drive or sponsorships can be directed to Jim McKeever at 773-972-6264 or email, jg.mckeever@att.net