Help Big Hearts of Fox Valley bring Christmas magic to 625 local children
Big Hearts of Fox Valley is calling on the community to help make Christmas brighter for 625 local children facing financial hardship through its annual Holiday Toy Drive, running Oct. 19 through Nov. 11.
Local businesses, schools, and community organizations are coming together to collect new, unwrapped toys, board games, and teen gifts to help fill Christmas gift bags for children throughout St. Charles Unit District 303.
With hundreds of Christmas gift bags to prepare, community donations are essential to ensuring every child experiences the excitement and joy of Christmas morning.
Through its Christmas Gift Sponsorship Program, all 625 children have been matched with generous individuals and groups who are shopping from their personalized wish lists. However, many of these wish lists include necessities such as clothing, shoes, and other essentials. While these items are incredibly important, they can quickly consume a sponsor's shopping budget, leaving fewer toys and gifts for children to unwrap.
That's why the Holiday Toy Drive is so important.
Donated toys, games, and teen gifts are used to supplement children's Christmas bags, helping ensure they receive not only the things they need but also gifts that bring excitement, smiles, and a little Christmas magic.
“So many of our children are asking for things they truly need, like clothing and shoes,” said Jennifer Mobley, executive director and co-founder of Big Hearts of Fox Valley. “We're incredibly grateful that all 625 children have been matched with sponsors, but we still need our community's help to make sure their Christmas bags are filled with more than just necessities.”
“We want these children to have the same excitement on Christmas morning as any other child. Whether someone donates one toy, a board game, or a few gifts for teenagers, every donation helps us make that possible.”
Teen gifts are especially important
One of the biggest challenges each year is ensuring teenagers receive just as much holiday excitement as younger children. Teen wish lists often include more expensive necessities, making their Christmas bags especially difficult to fill. Big Hearts is encouraging the community to consider donating gifts suitable for older children and teenagers.
Popular donation items include: Lego sets, Squishmallows, cozy blankets, body sprays and lotions, fluffy socks, Bluetooth speakers, gift cards for fast food or experiences, and other age-appropriate toys and teen gifts.
Community partners step up
The Holiday Toy Drive brings together businesses, schools, community organizations, and local residents who want to make a difference for children right here in the Fox Valley.
This year's 14 public collection locations include:
• Excel Automotive Repair (a year-round donation drop-off location), 1207 Foundry St., Suite A, St. Charles;
• Monarch Veterinary Clinic, 1574 E. Main St., St. Charles
• Partners in Mortgage, 1350 E. Main St., St. Charles
• Pure Barre, 500 S. Third St., Suite 123, Geneva;
• Smile Haven Dental Studio, 100 Illinois St., Suite 260, St. Charles
• St. Charles Dental, 2455 Dean St., Unit E, St. Charles
• Chick-fil-A, 3795 E. Main St., St. Charles
• Hurley & Volk Orthodontics, 484 Briargate Drive, Unit 101, South Elgin
• Wasco Nursery & Garden Center, 41W781 Route 64, St. Charles
• Goldfish Swim School, 3455 Legacy Blvd., St. Charles
• Magnolia Soap & Bath Company, 1 Illinois St., Suite 110, St. Charles
• St. Charles City Hall, 2 Main St.
• Bent Dog Yoga + Pilates, 1560 E. Main St., St. Charles
• Gateway Veterinary Clinic, 3225 W. Main St., St. Charles
Community members can drop off new, unwrapped toys and teen gifts at participating public collection locations through the afternoon of Nov. 11.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have so many businesses and organizations willing to open their doors and help collect gifts,” Mobley said. “Every collection box represents a group of people coming together for children in their own community. Whether someone donates one toy or fills an entire box, it all adds up to something pretty amazing.”
Big Hearts also extends its appreciation to C&S Packaging, a generous supporter of the collection boxes used throughout the drive.
District 303 schools are also participating in the Holiday Toy Drive, encouraging students, staff, and families to donate new toys and gifts. Families with children attending participating District 303 schools are encouraged to send donations directly to school with their students.
Note, schools are not public drop-off locations. Community members who do not have children attending those schools should use one of the participating public collection locations.
“One of the things that makes this drive so special is seeing children helping other children,” Mobley said. “When a student brings a toy to school knowing it's going to another child in their community, they're learning that even a small act of kindness can make a big difference.”
Community members can participate by purchasing new, unwrapped toys, board games, or teen gifts and dropping them off at a participating public collection location. For those who prefer to shop online, Big Hearts of Fox Valley has an Amazon Wish List featuring items needed to help fill Christmas gift bags.
Looking beyond Christmas
While the Christmas Gift Sponsorship Program is Big Hearts of Fox Valley's largest annual initiative, the organization's mission extends far beyond the holiday season.
Families served may be experiencing homelessness, job loss, serious illness, the death of a family member, or other circumstances that create financial instability. All families are referred to Big Hearts through District 303 school social workers, who determine the need for assistance at their discretion.
Through its Back-to-School, Big Hearts Throughout the Year, and Rapid Response programs, the organization provides clothing, shoes, school supplies, hygiene products, household essentials, and emergency assistance to families throughout the year.
“Christmas is a magical time for Big Hearts, but financial hardship doesn't take a holiday, and neither do we,” Mobley said. “Our mission is to ease some of the financial stress families are facing so parents can focus on being parents and children can focus on being kids.”
Financial donations are also welcome and help support both the Christmas Gift Sponsorship Program and the organization's year-round assistance programs. Donate online: bigheartsfv.org/donate.
About Big Hearts of Fox Valley
Founded in 2014, Big Hearts of Fox Valley is a St. Charles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and an official charity partner of St. Charles Community Unit School District 303.
The organization provides year-round essential assistance to local children and families facing financial hardship through its Christmas Gift Sponsorship, Back-to-School, Big Hearts Throughout the Year, and Rapid Response programs.
To learn more, donate, or get involved, visit bigheartsfv.org.