Kane County's Toys for Tots Program Delivers
Kane County's Toys for Tots Program
Javier Martinez, the Toys for Tots Coordinator for Kane County, is more than just an organizer—he's a dedicated volunteer whose commitment stretches back to his college years. For the past two years, he has led Kane County's efforts to provide toys for children who would otherwise go without through Toys for Tots, a national charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
In Kane County, Martinez says Toys for Tots partners with approximately 50 pre-vetted agencies across the area. Last year, the program collected around 21,000 toys, bringing holiday cheer to nearly 9,000 children in need.
This year, thanks to the generosity of the Kane County community, the program has collected enough donations to give out two toys per child—one large and one small. Achieving this level of support involved registering 250 drop-off sites throughout the county, including the Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission, which hosted a drop-off site at the Kane County Government Center Campus in Geneva.
Donations this year also included several hundred bicycles, provided by WAV. LLC of Aurora whose employees make it their charitable mission to increase the number of bicycles donated each year. They have reached upwards or 400 bicycles in recent years.
Martinez encourages community members to get involved in any way they can. Whether it's volunteering their time, donating, or hosting a drop-off box, every contribution helps. He advises potential volunteers, “When you go out to buy toys, think about it this way: if this were your child and this was the only toy they were getting for the holidays, would this be what you'd want for them?" He acknowledges that times are tough and expenses can be high but reminds people, “This may be the only toy this child gets this holiday season. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it should be a quality toy."
For those looking to contribute, the Toys for Tots website offers opportunities to sign up as a volunteer, register as a drop-off site, or apply as an agency that serves children in need. Learn more HERE.
