Bourbonnais, IL – With Christmas less than a week away, an emergency toy drive is underway in Kankakee County as more than 1,000 local children are still waiting to be matched with holiday gifts.
According to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation – Kankakee County, donations and funding have dropped to critically low levels during the final days of the season, leaving organizers scrambling to meet demand. Officials say toys for children ages 7 to 12 are especially scarce.
The program has already helped provide Christmas gifts to more than 4,000 Kankakee County children this year. However, with only six days until Christmas, organizers say current resources are no longer sufficient to cover remaining requests. Monetary donations are now under $200, limiting the ability to purchase additional toys quickly.
Community members can help by donating new, unwrapped toys or making monetary contributions that go directly toward purchasing age-appropriate gifts. Some local retailers are offering Toys for Tots discounts, and donation receipts are available for tax purposes.
Toy donations are being accepted at the Bourbonnais Fire Protection District, located at 1080 Armour Road in Bourbonnais. Officials recommend parking in the Tomagene lot for easier access. Donations can be dropped off at any time.
Organizers say this final push is critical to ensuring no child in Kankakee County wakes up without a gift on Christmas morning.
Residents who are able to help are encouraged to act immediately, as time is running out.
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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