Lombard firefighters host toy parade this Saturday
Keep your eye out for firetrucks Saturday in Lombard.
Instead of moving out of the way, the firefighters want you to come up to them as they drive along Main Street collecting toys for families in need this holiday season.
Residents and business owners are welcome to put their donations on the trucks during the toy parade, which begins at 10:30 a.m. at the fire station at 50 E. St. Charles Road.
As the parade travels south on Main Street to Glenbard East High School, firefighters and volunteers will be collecting toys on the west side of the street. The trucks will then travel nonstop to Yorktown Center, where toys will be unloaded on the upper level near Carson's around noon.
Assistant Fire Chief Jerry Howell said the outpouring of support each year is heartwarming.
"It's really incredible to see the outpouring for our community, from the businesses, the families and all the schoolkids that line the route," he said.
The donations will be distributed to Teen Parent Initiative, First Things First and the Lombard/Villa Park Food Pantry.
Glenbard High School District 87, Lombard Elementary District 44 and Villa Park Elementary District 45 all held toy collections in preparation for the parade.
This year, fifth-graders at District 45's Westmore Elementary in Lombard planned a holiday carnival at Jefferson Middle School that included games, raffles, food and a visit from Santa. To enter the event, families had to bring a toy.
"It was very well-supported. There were a ton of kids there," Howell said. "These kids did an outstanding thing."
The parade is coordinated and led by Lombard Firefighters Union Local 3009. Toy drive collection bins are available for the remainder of the week at four locations: Lombard village hall, 255 E. Wilson Ave.; fire station 1, 50 E. St. Charles Road; fire station 2, 2020 S. Highland Avenue; and Schroeder's Ace Hardware, 837 Westmore/Meyers Road. Items requested include unwrapped new toys and baby supplies, such as formula and diapers.