Donations Boxes Overflow With Toys From Lake Forest Community

LAKE FOREST, IL — With more families than ever finding it harder to provide gifts to kids this Christmas after the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, toy donations from the Lake Forest community have increased along with the demand.

"The community, department members and the Lake Forest Police Foundation really stepped up this year," Deputy Chief Rob Copeland said.

"Everyone knew with COVID, problems with the economy and a loss of jobs that people would have a leaner Christmas this year than in years past and no one wants children to have a tougher Christmas than what they have already suffered this year," he said.

The police foundation's drive filled up all 10 collection boxes it received from the Lake County Toys for Tots program, and collected another 150 toys, books and sports equipment, according to the deputy chief.

"It took several trips to get all the toys to the Marine base in North Chicago," he said.

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Thomas Chevalier, coordinator of the Lake County Toys for Tots program, said the program supported 150 local organizations this year to distribute toys to children in need.

"There has been an influx of toy requests from agencies and individuals families," Chevalier said. "But with that being said there's also been an influx in donations and generosity from everyone"

On Sunday, the local chapter held its own distribution event for the first time in eight years, with Marines wrapping up and handing out the gifts themselves. That provided Christmas gifts for another 400 children from 148 families who applied directly, he said.

While the Lake County Toys for Tots program has reduced the number of in-person donation events as compared to last year, it increased the number of drop-off locations.

Chevalier said the group raise another approximately $70,000 in donations it used to buy additional toys. He said the largest need was for toys appropriate for children up to age 2 and between 9 to 14. Information on how to donate directly is available at the Lake County Toys for Tots website.

"We're grateful that there's so many generous people in the community that are willing to give what little they have to help somebody else in need," Chevalier said.