Toy donations down while need rises
An increasing number of needy families and a decline in donations has Jim Wogan on the search for thousands of "Christmas Angels."
Wogan is the coordinator of Catholic Charities' Adopt-A-Family Christmas Gift Program for Lake County. He's looking for people with warm hearts in a cold economy. The charity is falling short in its annual gift drive. Wogan said last year was bad, but this year is worse.
"The last two years have been difficult," Wogan said. "Last year we had 12,000 people on our gift list. This year we have 13,000 at the same time donations are decreasing. One number is going up and the other is going down. The gap is widening."
Right now, there are still 4,000 kids who don't have presents. Wogan has resorted to excluding some parents from the list in order to make sure there's enough for the children."We're desperate for donors who are willing to contribute unwrapped toys or clothing for each child we serve," Logan said.
The Adopt-A-Family program, now in its 23rd year, provides gifts not only for Catholic Charities' clients in the area but also for people served by dozens of social service agencies in Lake County, including the Illinois Department of Public Aid, Department of Human Services, Lake County Health Department, Habitat for Humanity and others.
The process starts the day after Labor Day. "We get swamped with names quickly," he said.
The thousands of toys end up at a 50,000-square-foot warehouse in Waukegan. Donations come from churches, high schools, businesses and individuals, Wogan said. It takes at least 300 volunteers to sort and deliver the presents in time for Christmas.
Wogan said he's grateful for the scores of people willing to help meet the needs of the needy. "We have some wonderful creative donors," he said. "One woman spent a full year shopping clearance sales and making bulk purchases. She had enough to fill a 15-foot truck."
People interested in donating toys or clothing should call (847) 782-4126 for details on how to give the gifts, Wogan said.
Generally an optimistic guy, Wogan admitted he's concerned.
"I've been coordinating this program for the past 12 years and somehow we've always been able to balance out donors with families in need," Wogan said. "But this year, I'm worried."
Toys for Tots
To give:
The U.S. Marine Corps is looking for new and unwrapped toys to give less fortunate children the gift of hope, because every child deserve a little something for Christmas. Clothes, puzzles, any kind of realistic weapon or any toy that is out of the packaging cannot be given as a toy.
Toys for Tots will be accepting donations through Dec. 23 Collection boxes are located throughout the area. To find a donation point or donate online, visit highwood-il.toysfortots.org or waukegan-il.toysfortots.org.
To receive:
If you want to apply to receive toys through the Toys for Tots program, contact the following locations:
• Antioch Area Senior Center, 817 Holbeck Drive, Antioch. (847) 395-0139. Contact is Paul Howard.
• Community Action Partnership of Lake County, 1200 Glen Flora Ave. Waukegan. (847) 249-4330, x315. Contact is Jeanette Keyes at HRMAPMA418@aol.com.
• Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 Green Bay Road, North Chicago. (847) 968-3479. Contact is Christell Ayers at CAYERS@lcfpd.org.
• Wauconda Township, 505 W. Bonner Road, Wauconda. (847) 526-2631. Contact is Leslie Rohrer at LRohrer@waucondatownship.com.
• Mundelein Park District, 1401 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. (847) 566-0650 ext. 12/28. Contact is Nora T'Niemi at ntniemi@mundeleinparks.org.
• Zion Park District, 2400 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion. (847) 746-5500. Contact is Marilyn Krieger at MKrieger@zionparkdistrict.org.
• Fairfield Village Self Storage, 1298 Long Lake Drive, Round Lake Beach.(847) 546-1925. Contact Liz at fairfieldstoragetoysfortots@yahoo.com.
Only parents/guardians of children will be able to register.
For more information:
Visit waukegan-il.toysfortots.org or call Staff Sgt. Steve R. Bancroft at (847) 623-7447 ext. 239.
If you live south of North Chicago, Mundelein or Wauconda, visit highwood-il.toysfortots.org. or call Staff Sgt. Rodolfo Argueta at (847) 688-7129 x 358.