Kankakee, IL – Families seeking Christmas assistance in Kankakee County are being urged to review eligibility rules after the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation issued a reminder Wednesday emphasizing that applicants may not sign up with multiple organizations for holiday gifts.
According to a statement posted by the Kankakee County Toys for Tots team, families who apply with more than one charity will be removed from the program’s distribution list. The organization said its long-standing policy — clearly stated on its application page — ensures that gifts are distributed fairly and that as many children as possible in the community receive support.
The post explains that Toys for Tots routinely coordinates with partner organizations, which provide cross-checked lists of applicants. If a family’s name appears on multiple rosters, their Toys for Tots registration is automatically voided. The group said this prevents duplicate pickups and avoids taking toys away from other children in need.
Volunteers stressed that the program is fully operated by community members donating their time, and repeated incidents of duplicate sign-ups create unnecessary difficulties during an already busy season. “We do not want to cause any problems; we just want to help kids have a very merry Christmas,” the organization wrote.
Leaders encouraged families to remain patient, avoid hostility toward volunteers, and remember that the purpose of the program is to support children who otherwise may not have holiday gifts. Families disagreeing with the policy were asked to reconsider applying next year.
The organization closed its message by thanking residents for their understanding and wishing the community a happy holiday season.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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