Salvation Army, Toys for Tots team up to provide toys to needy

DeKALB – The doors were wide open Wednesday at The Salvation Army Community Center in DeKalb, as people were in and out picking up donated toys and clothing at the annual Christmas Toy Sharing event.

For a second consecutive day, those who lined up in the hallways at the center could receive free toys, clothing and iTunes gift cards supplied by The Salvation Army, DeKalb County Toys For Tots and various local businesses, said Salvation Army Capt. Michelle Graham, who volunteered.

The Christmas Toy Sharing event is only one of the local charity’s efforts to help those who are less fortunate, said Capt. Keith Graham, who said the number of people coming to the event has grown steadily during the past few years.

“Unfortunately, because of the economic strain a lot of families experience, they have to make choices,” he said. “Hard choices.”

Keith said the event was supported by close to 50 volunteers, many of whom came from Northern Illinois University and nearby churches.

DeKalb resident Ron Brooker, who also volunteered at the organization’s Thanksgiving event last November, said helping at the toy sharing event was his way of giving back to the community.

“Really, it’s smiles on families’ faces,” he said. “That’s what does it for me.”

Among the local and national businesses that helped with the event were JCPenney, Schnucks, Kishwaukee Family YMCA, American Publishing and Marketing, NB&T bank, Illinois Community Credit Union and many others, Michelle Graham said.

Kathi Hogshead Davis, DeKalb County coordinator of the Marine Corps League's Toys for Tots program, said while some businesses donated toys, others provided cash donations for the event.

“I would like to expand a little bit,” Davis said of the toy sharing effort. “Our goal is always give every family a game, every child a book. I would like to give every child three toys. This year, we were only be able to do that [for ages] between 0 to 8.”

By Wednesday morning, Michelle Graham said volunteers had given out about 5,000 toys to over 2,500 kids.

"It's interesting because you
think, 'It's just a toy, what's the big deal?' " Keith Graham said. "But for a lot of families, if you have six kids, seven kids, and you've got to buy a toy for each kid, you are spending at least $15 per toy."

Chequita Whiting of DeKalb said she has been coming to the event for the past six years to get toys for her two sons and her friend’s family.

“It really shows that this community cares about the people that live in it and supports people who are less fortunate,” she said.

The organization also holds a few similar events around Thanksgiving and the beginning of the school year, Keith Graham said.

“At least we are trying to do something,” he said. “Obviously, it’s just the tip of the iceberg.”