Toys For Tots drive draws giving spirit

On Dec. 15, Kim's Black Belt Academy of Huntley hosted its first Breakfast with Santa -- Toys For Tots toy drive. Even with the early onset of snow, close to 100 friends and families stopped by to participate in the Toys For Tots drive.

"To say the response was overwhelming would be an understatement," said Rick Bjorkquist, chief instructor of the Huntley Kim's Black Belt Academy.

"It started with the idea of becoming a drop-off location, and with the collaboration of Margaret Kim, the Kim's Black Belt Academy of Huntley and Elgin program director, it became this wonderful gift-giving event the whole community could become a part of."

Not only was Santa Claus in attendance and available for pictures, but Marine Pfc. Jordin Katzenberger of Walworth, Wis., and Grand Master Ok Hyung Kim, president of the American Kyuki-Do Federation, were present as well.

By the end of the morning, more than 200 new toys were donated by the Huntley community, as well as the friends and families of Kim's Black Belt Academy.

"That's 200 more children who now have gifts to open this holiday," said Lee Totman, Marine Adjunct of McHenry County.

"Plans are already in motion to make 2008's Toys for Tots Breakfast with Santa even bigger and better," Bjorkquist said.