'Toys For Tots' Is Short On Toys
CHICAGO (WBBM) - The Marines' Toys for Tots program in the Chicago area is still several hundred thousand toys short - with Christmas just three weeks away.
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"We're about 400,000 toys short of our goal to fill all of our applications," says Marine Gunnery Sergeant Michael Michalski, the Toys for Tots coordinator here in Chicago.
He says 600 local organizations have asked for toys they can then give to needy children.
Michalski says there's still time for people to donate those 400,000 toys. He says Toys for Tots was at the same point at this time last year.
But by last Christmas, they were still short by 20,000 toys.
"You just picture the children's faces - not getting that gift through our program. It's tough."
Michalski says Marines fight wars abroad and here, at home, they fight a war on poverty.
"We're actually fighting two wars. One overseas and another one, with toys. Trying to get enough toys so we can make sure that every child that's in need of a toy for Christmas gets that gift."
"We try to do our best. We're all volunteer staff here. We try to do everything possible to put a smile on a child's face every Christmas."
The Chicago 24-hour drop-off point for toys is 3034 W. Foster Ave., Chicago, IL 60625.
For other Illinois donation locations, GO HERE
To donate cash, checks should be made out to Toys for Tots. The mailing address is 3034 W. Foster Ave., Chicago, IL 60625.
To donate online GO HERE
