Help mall, firefighters fill sleigh with food
Yorktown Center is teaming with the Lombard Fire Department and The Mix radio station this holiday season to provide food, toys and baby items for struggling area residents.
The Lombard mall previously played host to Dick Biondi's annual toy drive but decided to develop a new program this year after the radio legend took his effort on the road. Instead of one overnight radio broadcast and toy collection, Biondi is holding shorter events at four suburban malls.
"Times change and we're rolling with the changes," Yorktown marketing director Lindsey Burke said. "We decided to go a different route."
After doing some research, mall officials determined area residents had a greater need for food in this struggling economy, Burke said.
The mall is coordinating a Stuff the Sleigh program, which began Friday, Nov. 28, that encourages shoppers to donate food for the Northern Illinois Food Bank. The retail center aims to collect 3,000 meals for the food center that serves numerous suburban food pantries.
The campaign will conclude with the Ultimate Stuff the Sleigh day and holiday parade Dec. 13 when the mall combines its efforts with those of Lombard firefighters and WTMX 101.9-FM.
Lombard firefighters are collecting food, toys and baby items at each station, 50 E. St. Charles Road and 2020 S. Highland Ave., until Dec. 13. They will bring those donations and toys collected during their annual holiday parade to the mall. The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 13 at Station One on St. Charles Road and heads south on Main Street before winding over to Yorktown.
"I think this is a great way to give back to the community," said Lombard firefighter/paramedic Dan Ekhart, who is helping coordinate the effort. "In today's economy when people are losing their jobs, kids don't always understand the situations ... If we can help by giving them some basic supplies - such as food and toys for kids at the holidays - it's a good thing."
After the parade, festivities will continue with The Mix radio personality Kevin "Koz" Koske, who will broadcast from noon to 3 p.m.
Yorktown Center's new holiday character named CAN'dy will give gift cards and candy to some shoppers, aiming to show appreciation to donors.
Toys and baby products will be donated to First Things First in Lombard and The Teen Parent Connection in Glen Ellyn.
"We are so pleased that Yorktown Center has decided to partner with us this holiday season," H. Dennis Smith, executive director of the food bank, said in a statement. "The number of hungry people in Northern Illinois is a major concern, and with the help of Yorktown Center we will be able to do what we can to ensure no family goes without food during the holiday season."
Yorktown Center, Highland Avenue and Butterfield Road, is regularly open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. For holiday hours, call (630) 629-7330.