Jon Johnsoon was busy gathering Christmas presents — 28 in all for his four children between the ages of 7 and 12 — during a Toys for Tots distribution in Waukegan over the weekend.
Johnson said the ability to take them home, wrap the gifts and place them under his family Christmas tree for his children Christmas morning will bring excitement to the youngsters and make the rest of the holiday easier for him and his wife.
“This is very, very helpful because it frees us to take care of other things,” he said. “They don’t realize how hard we have to work to put a roof over their heads. Christmas is a time for joy, and we want them to have it. This is a blessing for them and us.”
Johnson’s children were among more than 7,100 youngsters who received toys, games and books through the Lake County Toys for Tots program Friday through Monday, providing presents for under-resourced families at the People’s Choice Family Fun Center in Waukegan.
Rachel Chenier, the executive director of Family First Center of Lake County in Waukegan, partners with the United States Marine Corps based at Naval Station Great Lakes to distribute the toys the Marines collect through donations or purchase with funds from financial contributions.
Parents, sometimes with their youngsters tagging along, walked through what Chenier said she designs as much like a toy store as possible. They picked a large toy, two stocking stuffers, a family game, two books and a coin bank.
A woman looks at the collection of stuffed animals during a Toys for Tots distribution Saturday in Waukegan. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)
“The games are for family time for parents and children to play them together,” Chenier said. “Literacy is so important,” she added, referring to the books. “The books are age-appropriate, so they can read and understand them.”
New this year was a scheduling system to avoid long lines stretching out the door — often in inclement weather. Chenier said people entered in groups of 50 every 30 minutes. More than the weather, the revamped system had to do with community fear over federal immigration enforcement.
“The new system was born out of protection for the immigrants,” Chenier said. “I needed to make sure there was no line outside at any time that might bring attention to ICE, and that discretion was where I thought of the appointment system.”
Chenier said arrangements were also made to deliver toys, books and games to people who were afraid to leave their homes to go to the distribution event.
On the weekend before Christmas, two Marines continue to collect gifts for Toys for Tots at the American Place Casino’s Kris Kringle Market Saturday in Waukegan. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)
With Family First growing from eight to 27 employees this year, Chenier said staffed the distribution primarily with people from the organization, though longtime volunteers like poet and writer Sharon Epps continue to donate their time.
Epps said it is important to help make sure the tables are fully stocked with stuffed animals, trucks, dolls, books, games and more. She understands the importance of Toys for Tots on a personal level.
“I’ve stood in that line at Toys for Tots, so I could get gifts for my children,” Epps said. “When my children were young, that’s what I had to do. Now I’m here for those who need the help.”
Kalah Nickerson and Cordell Bailey of Zion were selecting gifts for their three young children, who were not with them. They said the toys would be wrapped and placed underneath the Christmas tree after the kids went to sleep on Christmas Eve.
Shoppers get ready to enter the checkout line at the annual Toys for Tots distribution in Waukegan on Saturday. There is no cash register at this toy store. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)
“They’re going to really appreciate it,” Bailey said. “This is going to help us give them a nice Christmas.”
Nickerson said Toys for Tots enables the family to do other things important for the holiday, like planning a festive meal and decorating their home.
“We love what Toys for Tots does to help us give them some really nice things, and we love how the kids are going to enjoy them,” Nickerson said.
Generally, families who are on Medicaid or receive help from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are eligible to register for Toys for Tots. Chenier said they begin registration earlier in the fall. Gifts are all new and unwrapped. Stuffed animals, cars, trucks and Barbie dolls are among the most popular choices.
People wait for their appointed time to select gifts for their children at the annual Toys for Tots distribution Saturday in Waukegan. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)
While people were getting the gifts for their families, Marines were busy collecting more on Saturday at places like the American Place Casino, where its initial Kris Kringle Market was taking place in front of the building.
While the Marines were gathering toys and other gifts at the market, 40 merchants and artisans were displaying their wares to potential shoppers. Julie Ivic, American Place’s director of communications, said it was an event for the community the weekend before Christmas.
“This was our very first outdoor event open to all ages,” Ivic said. “These are local businesses. Tonight, we’re giving $15,000 to six not-for-profit organizations.”
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