Fox Valley Park District police joining forces with Toys for Tots
The Fox Valley Park District police have launched its annual Toys for Tots drive in an effort to provide holiday gifts for less fortunate children throughout the area.
A nationwide program, Toys for Tots brings the joy of Christmas to needy children through toy donations and contributions from community members. The Fox Valley Park District police are again coordinating the drive in conjunction with other local police agencies.
"We collect the toys that are dropped off, then turn them over to the Aurora Fire Department, where each present is wrapped and delivered to needy families," said Sgt. Jim Christenson of the Fox Valley Park District police.
"Recipient families and children are selected based on recommendations from school personnel and charitable organizations."
Community members can contribute to Toys for Tots by dropping off new, unwrapped toys at a variety of locations.
Fox Valley Park District drop-off locations: Eola Community Center, 555 S. Eola Road, Aurora; Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora; Vaughan Athletic Center, 2121 W. Indian Trail, Aurora; Orchard Valley Golf Course and Restaurant, 2411 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora; Park District Administrative Offices, 712 S. River St., Aurora; and the Fox Valley Park District Police Station, 1460 SE River Road, Montgomery.
Other locations: Aurora Police Department, 350 N. River St.; Aurora Fire Department, any station; Aurora City Hall, 44 E. Downer Place; City of Aurora Building and Permits Department, 65 Water St.; North Aurora Police Department, 25 E. State St., North Aurora; Campton Hills Police Department, 40W115 Campton Crossings Drive, Campton Hills; The Daleiden Mortuary, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora; and Kane County Sheriff's Office, 777 E. Fabyan Parkway, Geneva.
Christenson said the Aurora Marine Corps, which is sponsoring the drive, is especially seeking toy donations that children ages 7 to 14 would enjoy, including footballs, soccer balls, skateboards, other sports equipment, games, purses and small electronics. Toy donations must be dropped off by Friday, Dec. 18.
Despite the struggling economy, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program delivered more than 16.2 million toys to nearly 8 million children in 2008 and is seeking to surpass those figures in 2009.