Vernon Hills cops suport Toys for Tots

It’s never too early to think about Christmas — just look around at the mall — or to think about all the children who might not get any toys.

The Vernon Hills Police Department is again a drop-off location for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program, one of three such village facilities. Last year, the department had an overwhelming response and they’d like to repeat that again this year — or beat it.

Kids of all ages are encouraged to help other kids who don’t have as much. Some kids have donated their birthday and holiday money to Toys for Tots, while others have asked for toys that can be given to Toys for Tots instead of keeping them for themselves. One year, the department had a Daisy Troop drop off toys when they came in for a station tour. There are so many ways to help out.

The Vernon Hills Police are encouraging everyone to bring a new, unwrapped toy to any of the drop-off locations:

Ÿ Vernon Hills Police Department, 754 Lakeview Parkway (24 hours a day)

Ÿ Vernon Hills village hall, 290 Evergreen Drive (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday)

Ÿ Vernon Hills Public Works, 490 Greenleaf Drive (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday)

All kinds of toys can be donated. The Marine Corp will distribute them according to age.

Don’t forget the older kids: sporting equipment/bags/balls, books, backpacks, cosmetics, purses, watch/wallet gift sets, bath gift sets, board games, radio control cars/trucks, hand-held electronics, skateboards/helmets, curling irons, hair straighteners, and hair dryers are all good ideas.

The Marine Corp will not accept realistic-looking weapons or gifts with food. If donated, such items will not be distributed.

Toys will be collected until Dec. 13.

Anyone with questions should call (847) 247-4889.

This past August, the Vernon Hills Police Department began dispatching for the Libertyville Police Department, which required them to do some construction work in their lobby — essentially reducing it to a hallway. So don’t be alarmed if you don’t see tons of toys in the lobby: as the boxes are filled, they will be moved to a bigger (secure) space within the station. The Vernon Hills police will make every attempt to keep the public updated with pictures on their website, www.vhpd.com.

Families needing to request toys, those looking to make a cash donation, to learn how to have your own collection event, or for more information, go to the Toys for Tots website: www.toysfortots.org.

If any Vernon Hills resident or business conducts their own toy drive, the Vernon Hills police would love to hear about it beforehand, at sjoseph@vhills.org, and might post it on their website.