Stop at Dunkin' Donuts to help needy kids

Christmas trees adorned with Salvation Army Angel Tree gift tags will decorate 200 Dunkin' Donuts stores in Chicago and surrounding suburbs this holiday season.

Each gift tag will include the name of a child in need and a list of the child's special gift requests for the season.

People who wish to donate will take a tag, purchase a gift based on the wish list on the tag, and return the gift unwrapped to the Dunkin' Donuts store.

In mid-December, Salvation Army staff will pick up the gifts and deliver them to children in families that the Salvation Army has designated as needy.

Last year, 150 Dunkin' Donuts stores participated in the Angel Tree program, collecting nearly 6,000 gifts. The program was so successful and so popular with customers that this year, 200 Dunkin' Donuts stores will collect gifts for needy children.

This year's list of participating Dunkin' Donuts stores includes shops in Elgin, Huntley, Barrington, McHenry, St. Charles, Rolling Meadows, Rosemont, Des Plaines, Aurora, Chicago, Harvey, Downers Grove, Westmont, Lombard, Villa Park, Summit, Orland Park, Olympia Fields, Montgomery, Naperville, Addison, Alsip and Palos Heights.

"Dunkin' Donuts has worked with and supported the Salvation Army in Illinois for more than 10 years," said Vicky DeSalvo, Dunkin' Donuts field marketing manager. "Since our stores serve so many people on a daily basis, this is a great way for us to make it easy for people to reach out and help others who are less fortunate."