Toys For Tots: How To Help In Geneva This Season

GENEVA, IL — While you're checking off holiday gifts for family members, don’t forget the kids who aren't on anyone's shopping list and pick up some items for the Toys for Tots campaign in Geneva.

Through the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program, anyone can donate new, unwrapped toys that will be distributed to less fortunate children at Christmas.

The original Toys for Tots project was founded in 1947 by Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks, and it became a nonprofit public charity at the behest of the Marine Corps in 1991. The organization is still run exclusively by veteran Marines.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service, uses 97 percent of every donation to buy toys for children in need.

Last year in Kane County, 21,995 toys were distributed to 8,741 children who might not otherwise have gotten any Christmas gifts. To date, the Toys for Tots program has distributed 677 million toys to 301 million children.

Here's where you can donate in person in Geneva:

• Toys for Tots warehouse, 122 Commons Drive (at Geneva Commons)
• All About You Dental Care, 2631 Williamsburg Ave.
• Aurora University Men's Hockey, 1996 S. Kirk Road
• Batteries Plus, 1492C S. Randall Road
• Bee Coco Candle, 308 W. State St.
• Craft Urban, 211 James St.
• Dr. Tom Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, 2800 Keslinger Road
• Fairway Family Dental Care, 1441 Randall Road
• Fox River Periodontics and Dental Implants, 2075 Blackberry Drive
• Spenga, 1900 S. Randall Road
• Veterans Assistance Commission of Kane County, 719 S. Batavia Ave.
• Walter E. Smithe, 1723 S. Randall Road

Besides dropping off toys at several locations, people who want to support the campaign can also donate online.