Toys For Tots Awarded $5K From Orland Park's Kurland Insurance

ORLAND PARK, IL — Kurland Insurance Agency in Orland Park has earned a 2021 Make More Happen Award — recognizing its exceptional volunteerism with U.S. Marines Toys for Tots Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to collecting and distributing new unwrapped toys to less fortunate children at Christmas. The award includes a $5,000 donation with a chance to double the amount to $10,000 that will directly benefit the organization, according to a news release.

Beginning Wednesday, the story of Kurland Insurance and the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots Foundation will be featured on the official Make More Happen microsite, allowing the nonprofit a chance to earn the additional $5,000. If the featured story receives at least 500 votes—shares to social media and comments on their story—the donation will be doubled to $10,000, the release states.

According to the release, the needs are greater for Toys for Tots each year. The $10,000 donation will support their shortage of toys, provide funding for collection boxes and supplies for the Toys for Tots Literacy Program. The literacy program’s mission is to offer the nation's most disadvantaged children the ability to compete academically and to succeed in life by providing them direct access to resources that will enhance their ability to read and communicate effectively, the release states.

“Now more than ever our community needs our help and every donation to Toys for Tots benefits local children in need,” said Matthew Kurland of Kurland Insurance. “We are forever grateful to receive this Make More Happen Award from Liberty Mutual and Safeco to provide Toys for Tots with much needed funds to continue their impactful work.”

Advocating for Toys for Tots for the last 11 years, Matthew and Ramona Kurland facilitate pick-up and drop-off toy locations at local businesses across the south suburban area of Chicago, totaling over 70 collection sites. The Kurland Insurance team collects and counts all toys, delivers them to the Marines unit in Chicago, who then distributes the toys to local families in need.

As challenges arose in 2020 with businesses closing, working remote or at limited capacity, Toys for Tots was short 25 percent of their normal collection sites. To make up for these lost locations, the organization implemented both a digital and local media campaign to spread awareness and help replenish toy inventory for the Christmas season.

“We are so proud of our agents and their commitment to volunteering for important causes in their local communities to raise both funds and awareness,” said Cathy Koenig Safeco Insurance Illinois Region Senior Territory Manager. “The Make More Happen Awards allow our agents to make an even greater impact in Chicago and we hope it motivates others to do the same.”

Throughout 2021, Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance will select a total of 34 independent agents nationwide for a Make More Happen Award, donating up to $340,000 to the nonprofits they support. Agencies became eligible for the award by submitting an application demonstrating their commitment to a specific nonprofit, along with photos of a project they worked on.