Toys For Tots: How To Help In Highland Park

HIGHLAND PARK, 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 Highland Park.

Sponsored by the Marine Corps Reserves since 1991, Toys for Tots is organized locally in Lake County in the Great Lakes area.

Last year in Lake County, 36,148 toys were distributed to 34,950 children who might not otherwise have gotten any Christmas gifts. To date, the Toys for Tots program has distributed 709 million toys to 314 million children.

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

The deadline for toy donations cuts off on Dec. 8-19 for Lake County. Toys for Tots accepts donations at several drop boxes throughout Cook County, to view the full list visit the Toys for Tots website.

Near Highland Park, drop-off locations are:

• City of Highland Park - 1707 St. Johns Ave.
• Friends of Highwood Library and Community Center - 50 Highwood Ave.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is an IRS-recognized nonprofit public charity created in 1991. The foundation, created in 1991, uses 97 percent of every donation to buy toys for children in need.