Rotary scrambling to find toys for underprivileged Lake County tots
Santa and Mrs. Claus will still greet underprivileged children in Ingleside on Sunday afternoon, but unless a Christmas miracle happens, the red bag routinely filled with about 1,000 toys could be near empty.
Fox Lake-Round Lake Area Rotary Club representatives said the toys normally donated by Toys for Tots for the annual George Watson Memorial Rotary Children's Christmas Party will not arrive as expected.
And now, the group that plays Santa annually to about 500 underprivileged children in the Fox Lake/Round Lake area is scrambling.
"These toys are some of the only toys the children will receive for Christmas," said former Rotary President Paul Maplethorpe of the Greater Round Lake Area Fire Protection District. "We really need help to make Christmas special for these deserving children."
The group normally hands out 1,000 toys. Right now, they have about 50 toys for the party, set for noon on Sunday, Dec. 7.
Rotary President Kay Starostovic, who also serves as Grant Township supervisor, said the Rotary usually contacts the Great Lakes Toys for Tots two months before the party to request 1,000 toys to give away to children.
However, officials from the Great Lakes Chapter of Toys for Tots said a policy change was made this year and toys are donated directly to needy families and not to organizations.
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Chris Kemery, coordinator of Toys for Tots in Great Lakes and a member of the Weapons Company 2nd Battalion 24th Marines, said the change was made because, in previous years, there was no accountability for large groups when giving away toys at charity events.
"We would issue 5,000 toys to a church that doesn't even have 500 members, and children were getting more than one or two toys during these parties," he said. "Because of it, we found ourselves running out of toys and not being able to give everyone something for Christmas. So, we had to change the guidelines."
He said parents are now asked to sign up with Toys for Tots directly to receive a toy for the holidays. He said all large groups, like Rotary clubs, are turned down.
Starostovic said the Rotary was not told that Toys for Tots would not be coming until early this week, days before the party.
"One of our members called to check on the toy delivery and they were told a drop off wasn't scheduled," Starostovic said. "So, now, we are doing everything we can to get donations in and to get some toys for the children."
Kemery said he was sure the Fox Lake-Round Lake Area Rotary Club was told of the policy change, but admitted the letter may not have been sent.
Starostovic said the children will still receive underwear, winter hats, scarves and mittens, boots and a hot meal at the annual party. But, that is little consolation for a child who believes in St. Nick.
Anyone wishing to donate to the party can drop off money or new toys for boys or girls ages 5 through 10 at the Grant Township building at 26725 W. Molidor Road, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., or contact Starostovic at (847) 740-2233.
Children are invited to the party at the recommendation of school officials in Round Lake and Fox Lake, not by Rotary officials. People who want to attend should contact their local school and not go directly to the function on Sunday.