Press Release
October 26, 2010
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve / Village of Niles Kicks off Seventh Annual Toys for Tots Drive
The Niles Fire Department announces the official kickoff to the seventh annual U.S. Marine Corps
Reserve / Village of Niles Toys Tots Drive. Toys for Tots is a 63 year-old charitable program
run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve that provides toys to children in need. Since its
inception in 1947, Marines have conducted successful Toys for Tots campaigns collecting
and distributing over 387 million toys.
From the time the Village of Niles has been involved in the collection effort, we have been
amazed by not only the amount of toys collected, but in the creative ways they are being
collected: gift exchanges, corporate parties, home holiday parties, and classroom collections.
The generosity of the community has helped to brighten the holiday season for many children, locally and statewide and we have had the privilege to see firsthand how the donations impact a child when they receive a brand new toy. We have seen the spirit of giving, in abundance, over the last six years and are hoping for the most successful collection to date, especially in these difficult economic times.
The Niles Fire Department will be collecting toys at both fire stations located at 8360 W. Dempster Street and 6611 Jarvis, we will also have drop off boxes at the Niles Village Hall 1000 Civic Center Drive, Niles Senior Center 999 Civic Center Drive, Niles Fitness Center 987 Civic Center Drive, Niles Teen Center 373 Golf Mill Center, Niles Public Library at 6960 W. Oakton, Citibank 8400 W. Dempster and Toy Land at Golf Mill Shopping Center. Any toys purchased for donation to Toys for Tots at Toy Land will receive a 20% discount. Per the U.S. Marine Corps guidelines, all toys must be new and unwrapped. Used toys, stuffed animals, toiletries, and candy cannot be distributed. Donations are deeply appreciated by the USMC, the Village of Niles and most importantly by the children who will receive the donations. You can make a difference to a child this holiday season.
Toys will be collected from Monday, November 1 through Thursday, December 16 at 5 p.m. If you have any questions, please call 847-588-6800.
Contacts:
Bernadette Knapik-Fish
Coordinator
847-588-6800
Firefighter Jim “Buzz” Leibach
Coordinator
847-588-6800