Center collecting gifts to donate

The Lindenhurst Early Childhood Center will be holding its annual "The Gift of Giving Program" through Dec. 19.

The center is accepting gently-used clothing and toys to be donated to the Christopher House, Allendale, Open Arms Mission, PADS, The Haven Women's Shelter, Winchester House and The Olive Branch, among other organizations. Some of the clothing will be given directly to the homeless in the city throughout December and January.

New toys are also being accepted through Dec. 19 for the center's holiday hospital delivery. Toys will be delivered to children in the pediatric wards at the Stroger County, Shriners, University of Chicago, Rush St. Luke's, and Mt. Sinai Hospitals the week before Christmas.

In addition, each child at the center will make a care basket for a needy family to be sent to the Lake Villa and Avon Township food pantries, Open Arms Mission, Department of Children and Family Services and the Lake County Housing Authority; and there will be a holiday tree in the hallway with "Adopt an Angel" tags on it. The tags have the names of foster children and their wish-lists. Families of children at the center are encouraged to pick as many "Angels" as they like. All donations will be brought to the Department of Children and Family Services prior to Dec. 18.