Pastor Misses Toys For Tots Deadline, Asks For Public's Help
CHICAGO (CBS) -- For years, a Far South Side minister has made sure needy kids get toys for Christmas, but that may not happen this year.
He's hoping the public can help, CBS2's Mike Parker reports.
Rev. Virgil Jones says he made a mistake. For more than a decade, Jones and his food pantry have been registered each year to get hundreds of toys from the Toys For Tots program. Some 600 of those toys were given away last year to kids in the neighborhood served by the Mother Jones Food Pantry and the Sanctuary Church.
If Jones had checked the Toys for Tots website, he'd have noticed that this year the deadline for applying for donationed toys was changed from Dec. 1 to Nov. 19. He was too late.
"I don't blame them," Jones told Parker. "They're doing a great job, and I wish them Godspeed."
The minister knows that his small 30-member congregation will not be able to come up with 600 Christmas toys on their own, so he's hoping that the generosity of others will come through for the kids.
"We have so many children looking forward for Christmas this year, and they know their name is on the list," Jones says. "I don't want to call them and say, 'We don't have anything for you.'"
A UPS package that arrived at the church Friday gave Jones hope. Inside, there were a few toys, some little hats and gloves, and a check for $25.
"Not only did they do this and pay for the postage, they sent a check along with it," Jones said. "That's a blessing. I'm so grateful."
Click here to learn more about Jones' church and its efforts.
