Toys For Tots: How To Help In Mokena — But Hurry

MOKENA, 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 YOURPATCH.

Sponsored by the Marine Corps Reserves, Toys for Tots is organized locally in Mokena by Will, Kendall, and Grundy Toys For Tots.

Last year in the Mokena area, 33,155 toys were distributed to 20,295 children who might not otherwise have gotten any Christmas gifts. Nationally, about 625 million toys were handed out to 291 million kids.

Besides dropping off new, unwrapped toys at several drop-off locations, people who want to support the campaign can also donate online. Here’s what you need to know in Mokena:

The Mokena Fire Protection District and Mokena VFW are working together to make the holidays brighter for area families in need who may not have anything to give their kids for Christmas.

The two local organizations are hosting a toy drive that began this week and that runs through Monday. Residents can bring new, unwrapped toys to the Mokena VFW, which is located at 19852 Wolf Rd., from 12-6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Toys will be collected through Dec. 11 and will be distributed to families that are served by the Frankfort Food Pantry.

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.